Executive Director of the of the National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia Bekor Papazyan said that from AMD 50 to 100mln is allocated annually to facilitate tourism in Armenia, what is too little.

Negotiations are held with the RA government to increase this sum, Papazyan told a press conference.

“We attract funds from other sources while tour operators participate in international fairs at their own expense. The fact is that other countries spend much more to develop tourism,” he said.

Chairman of the Association of Tour Operators of Armenia Robert Minasyan added for his part that lack of advertisement hampers tourism development in Armenia.

“For example, the conditions for rest are no better in Georgia than in Armenia, they have just implemented a large-scale advertisement campaign in proper time and attracted a great number of tourists. Armenia’s tourism facilities are not properly advertised in any country,” Minasyan said.

Meanwhile, Bekor Papazyan remarked that Armenia will participate in 4 or 5 international tourism fairs in 2011. Besides, a large-scale advertisement will be organized this year with respect to opening of the ropeway leading to Tatev monastery.