June 18, 2009 - 16:50 AMT
Armenia to pass a long way for conquering international tourism market
"Tourism in Armenia has certainly made significant progress, but that's not enough for conquering international tourism market," Philip Munye, consultant of CAPS international program, said today, answering a PanARMENIAN.Net correspondent's question.

Armenia has tour operators who are professionals, but the problem's that they have focused on certain products which are of no interest to European tourists.

"They offer similar products, which are mostly related to church, history and culture. That mostly attracts elderly tourists," he stated, adding that Armenia does not make proper use of its resources and is required to make every effort towards attracting youth.

Armenia, according to Munye, should attract tourists as a country of recreation. As a fair example he referred to jazz festivals which have made Armenia well-known to Europe. "I know many people who cross the ocean just in order to take part in those festivals," Philip Munye said, stressing that he himself was a great jazz fan.

The forum was organized by CAPS, RA Ministry of Economy, Armenian Tourism Development Agency and National Competitiveness Fund.