On October 3, UNWTO 38th Affiliate Members Plenary Session was held in Yerevan.

The Delegation headed by the Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Taleb Rifai came to Armenia to take part in the Session.

After the official opening of UNWTO 38th Affiliate Members Plenary Session, the press conference of UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai and the First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Investments of the Republic of Armenia Garegin Melkonyan was held.

Garegin Melkonyan expressed gratitude to UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai, Executive Director of UNWTO Carlos Vogeler and other members of the delegation for visiting Armenia and for the opportunity of organizing UNWTO 38th Affiliate Members Plenary Session in our country.

“The World Tourism Organization is the institution that forms the agenda for the development of tourism industry worldwide and is an important platform for the exchange of information between countries in the field of tourism and to make cooperation possible,” said Garegin Melkonyan.

The First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Investments of the Republic of Armenia briefly represented the recent developments of tourism sector in Armenia, pointing out that the sector is developing, in the past five years average 9% growth of arrival of international tourists has been registered.

Expressing confidence that the tourism sector will have a greater development dynamics in the future, Garegin Melkonyan stressed the importance of the development of infrastructures.

UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai shared his impressions from Armenia, mentioning that Armenia is developed enough to receive tourists. He also said that the progress of tourism sector since his last visit to Armenia is obvious. As an example Taleb Rifai mentioned the positive change of Zvartnots International Airport. According to him, it can be considered as one of the best not only in the region but also outside the region.

“We came with a certain goal in our minds: to show our support,” said Taleb Rifai.

When a journalist asked the Secretary-General of UNWTO, who visits Armenia for the third time and each time newly reveals it, what impressed him the most in Armenia, Taleb Rifai answered that he is mostly impressed with the people who live here.

“People are the most beautiful thing in Armenia. Many peoples in the world can say that they have beautiful lakes, mountains, but I think the most important thing for the traveler is people. This is the most impressive thing in Armenia. You feel good and safe in your country,” mentioned Taleb Rifai and wished consistent activity in making Armenia recognizable for the world.