YEREVAN, OCTOBER 12, ARMENPRESS. Armenia has a great potential for the development of rural tourism, Chairman of “Preservation and Development of Armenian Culinary Traditions” NGO Sedrak Mamulyan told “Armenpress”.

“Recently festival entitled “1000 years of village square” was held in Zorakan-Chardakhlu village of Tavush province. It is a great example to show out potential for the development of rural tourism. I am very impressed. We have numerous villages which maintained and transferred the traditions to generations. That’s why we must use this and present as a tourism product”, he said.

He said in general Armenia has great opportunities for tourism development, whereas 10% of the tourism potential is not being utilized.

“The world moves forward towards agro tourism, rural life. The tourist is more interested in examining the rural life rather than buildings. And we have villages that maintained the traditions and there are opportunities to attract tourists”, Sedrak Mamulyan said.

He stated that certain sectors need investments. He is confident the investments in this sector will soon be returned. As for infrastructures, he said they are also in normal situation, but they need to be developed.

“If all this is combined with a cuisine, it will be a perfect tourism product, since people are interested in dishes, food. I can confidently say we are much more competitive than our neighbors or many other countries in this field”, he said.