BEGGARS "ATTACK" TOURISTS AT EVERY STEP
A1+
[02:20 pm] 09 July, 2007
As soon as tourists visit Armenian sights they "are attacked." Arayik
Vardanyan, the Chairman of the Tour Operators’ Union, states that
beggars’ behavior greatly affects tourism in Armenia. In mere
disappointment tourists give up the idea of visiting Armenian in
the future.
"Cadging is well-organised in Armenia. Beggars work in groups and
don’t leave tourists alone unless they are given some money," Arayik
Vardanyan told A1+.
Mekhak Apresyan, the head of the RA Ministry of Economy and Trade
Tourism Department, is also concerned with beggars’ number.
"This is a delicate matter and needs thorough consideration. We cannot
simply drive beggars away," Mekhak Apresyan told A1+.
Tour-operators state that tourists are discontent with poor-quality
services and anti-sanitarian conditions of toilets.
"Obviously, employees aren’t explained their duties, therefore we
have low-quality services in Armenia, Mr Vardanyan said.
The service quality is determined by an employee’s relevant
education. Each institute of higher education has a tourism department
but the methods of teaching are far from being perfect, Arayik
Vardanyan said.
It is noteworthy that despite all the above-mentioned problems related
to tourism, the number of tourists to Armenia keeps increasing. Last
year over 382 thousand tourists visited the country. According to
statistics, most of them are Diaspora representatives or people of
Armenian descent.