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Before demanding a growth in the tourism sphere, the state should develop certain programs, invest money, organize exhibitions, “Areni" Fest” Foundation Director Nune Manukyan told a press conference on the occasion of World Tourism Day.  

“Armenia lacks a wide-scale PR,” Manukyan stressed.

The speaker next recalled the budget sums allocated to tourism sphere in the neighboring countries. “I was quite upset over learning that 12 million dollars are allocated for tourism in a neighboring state, while the number in Armenia is 400 thousand USD,” Manukyan wondered.
 
To her words, festivals organized throughout Armenia’s communities promote the community development as well as the rural tourism, which is something that should be encouraged by the state.

“Ecotourism appears to be Armenia’s potential. For example, wine festivals are included in tourism packages, since they are highly consumable among the Russian tourists,” noted the speaker.

Mekhak Apresyan, Head of the Department of Tourism Development Policy at Ministry of Economy, present at the meeting, noted that Armenia was the first regional state that advertised the country through CNN, Euronews TV channels. “Armenia: Noah’s Land” was filmed and widely disseminated.

“Statements that no means are provided are not accurate. 400 thousand USDs are allocated within an annual program of supporting tourism services, while other projects are periodically funded,” Apresyan said, adding they have spent the available funds more efficiently year by year.