YEREVAN, JANUARY 18, ARMENPRESS. The snow sculpture festival of Jermuk city will be held for the 5th time February 17-19 entitled “Snowman 2017”, Vazgen Galstyan, President of the “Jermuk Development Center” NGO told ARMENPRESS.

“The whole idea behind launching the festival was to attempt extending the winter tourism period. We hold the festival on February, since comparably there are more people in Jermuk in December or January. In this case, hotel businesses and tourism operators will have more visitors and will be able to work longer”, Galstyan said.

According to him, additionally the “Snowman 2017”’s goal is creating jobs.

Galstyan said they received consultation from the ministry of economic development and investments, but no financial or other assistance. He mentioned back in 2015, by the support of the tourism department, buses were provided to operate the Yerevan-Jermuk route.

“We except a somewhat different assistance from them, not simply organizing the festival, but rather attempting to somehow help in creating winter tourism infrastructures”, Galstyan emphasized.

Jermuk Mayor Vardan Hovhannisyan told ARMENPRESS the City Hall is doing everything for the development of tourism in the city and youth activeness.

“The festival is expanding each year, and we provide appropriate financial assistance. With the mediation of the City Hall, hotels and spas offer low-cost packages, and the ropeway operates with lower prices. Now the organizers must present a budget, after which we will discuss all issues regarding the festival, and if the City Hall will be able to financially assist, it will do so”, the Mayor said. He added they will request the state tourism committee of the ministry of economic development and investments to also provide financial assistance in order for the festival to be a lot more attractive.

“We are focusing on the local market. We try to involve Armenians as much as possible in the festival. When the festival will become established, then we will work on involving foreign tourists. In the previous years we had visitors from China and Russia, but they arrived in Jermuk not specially for the festival. I think we still have work to do”, Galstyan added.

The festival will be held in Jermuk city February 17-19, 2017. Organizers hope to host at least 1000 visitors this year.

Jermuk is a mountain spa town in the southern Armenian province of Vayots Dzor.

It is famous for its hot springs and mineral water brands bottled in the town. It is attractive for its fresh air, waterfalls, lakes, walking trails, the surrounding forests and mineral water pools.