On February 10, a press conference of Zarmine Zeitountsian, the Chairperson of the State Tourism Committee of the Ministry of Economic Development and Investments of RA was held at the Loft center.

During the press conference were presented the activities carried out by the State Tourism Committee of Armenia, summary of the tourism sector's annual results, upcoming projects, as well as reference was made to the sector's statistical data.

According to the statistical data 1 million 259.657 thousand tourists visited Armenia in 2016. The index increased by 5.7% compared to the same period of 2015.

The increase was mainly driven by visits from the Russian Federation, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Indonesia, Colombia, the Netherlands, Oman, Philippines, Spain, Turkey to Armenia.

The most increase registered the visits from Iran around 30%. The number of visits from Russia also increased by 2.3%, although in 2015 around 6% decrease in visits from Russia was registered.

Zarmine Zeitountsian, the Chairperson of the State Tourism Committee of the Ministry of Economic Development and Investments of RA also presented the tourism development concept for 2017-2020, the aims and objectives of the state policy defined by the concept.

Zarmine Zeitountsian said in order to implement the aims and objectives of the state policy of the tourism sector defined by the concept it is necessary to solve a number of problems.

"I consider the solution of the following problems is most important and primary;

• to strengthen and continue to enhance the competitiveness of Armenia and the Armenian tourism product, to strengthen, develop and promote country’s description as stable, secure, favorable and attractive country for investment, business and tourism,

• to diversify the Armenian tourism product, to develop new, competitive tourism products, to diversify the Armenian tourism product markets, to identify priority target markets and implement targeted marketing and promotion,

• to decentralize tourism to regions, including rural communities of Armenia,

• to improve Armenian access to the global market through transportation access, as well as entry and exit accessibility ,

• to develop human resources, to strengthen and continuously improve the quality of services,

• as well as to provide complete statistical date, qualitative research, studies and analyzes, in favor of effective development and implementation of the state policy, to improve and develop the infrastructures, to strengthen and continuously intensify international cooperation, the activities of the companies representing the private sector, to provide favorable business and investment environment".