YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. Armenia aims at having its firm place in the religious tourism world market. The steps on this path have intensified in the recent period.

Mekhak Apresyan – First Vice President of the State Tourism Committee, told Armenpress that Pope Francis’ 2016 visit to Armenia greatly contributed to this process.

“Of course, before the Pope’s visit Armenia was taking steps on this path. Previously we also had discussions with the concerned sides, including with the participation of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Pope Francis’ visit was already an additional impetus, and his message ‘Pilgrimage to the first Christian country’ was a guidance”, Mekhak Apresyan said.

Armenia has great potential for development of religious tourism, there are numerous preconditions which can position Armenia in the world market as a favorable, attractive country for pilgrimage. The works on this direction intensified, the State Tourism Committee had additional discussions with the concerned sides, involving also the private sector, it also developed the program of ‘Development and promotion strategy of pilgrimage to the first Christian country tourism result’. At the moment the program is being discussed in the Armenian government.

“The discussions were being held on developing a concrete tourism result and properly presenting it in the international market. There are different initiatives to work with various partners in several platforms. At the moment these issues are also being discussed with the international specialized structures”, he said.

Mekhak Apresyan noted that here there is a great potential, Armenia has huge historical-cultural heritage. Thus, it’s necessary to develop concrete tourism destinations, select the churches and monasteries to include in them. According to Apresyan, these tour packages should not include just visits to churches, monasteries. These visits should be accompanied by different events.

The official stated that there is a great demand in the international market for religious tourism, and Armenia can play a great role in this field.