The number of tourists in the Turkish province of Van doubled after a cross was installed on Armenian Surb Khach church on Akhtamar Island.

The local department of culture and tourism says 10,000 visited Van museum in 2009, while 23,932 people visited Akhtamar Island and another 9,376 – the Van castle, Cihan news agency reports.

“In 2010 Akhtamar Island was visited by 30, 804 people. Over recent six months the number of visitors totaled 25,500 ,” the statement says.

On September 19, 2010 the first liturgy in 95 years was held in Surb Khach church, the cross was installed on September 30.