YEREVAN (ARKA), February 16–The National Fund of Competitiveness of Armenia and Armenian Tourism Development Agency developed a strategy for tourism development in Armenia that will increase the annual flow of tourists by 20 percent.

“The new strategy envisages expansion of marketing policies in such countries as Germany, Great Britain, France and Italy directed at the attraction of tourists interested in eco-tourism,” Bekor Papazyan, Executive Director of the Fund said.

The main directions of the marketing policy will be directed at tourism agencies of the mentioned countries and PR companies.

“Currently the flow of tourists in the above-mentioned countries is 8,000 per year. By 2011 we plan to increase their number by 20 percent,” he said.

For the implementation of the strategy, investment in the amount of about 100,000 euro will be needed in each mentioned country.

“The aim is not only to increase of number of tourists but also the duration of their stay in Armenia and their expenses,” said Papazyan.

Together with the increase in the flow of tourists, the quality of tourism services will also improve, which currently lacks in Armenia.

In 2009, the number of tourists in Armenia increased by 3 percent compared with 2008, or 575,281 tourists. In 2009 the number of tourists was 2.1 percent, or 526,193 tourists.