YEREVAN. – It is still difficult to travel to Armenia; air transportation should be freed up, United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Armenia Mission Director Karen Hilliard stated, addressing the 12th International Annual Tourism Fair CTS (Caucasus Travel Show) 2013, which kicked off Friday in capital city Yerevan.

In her words, the tourism industry in Armenia has great potential to develop, and the USAID conducts a capacity-raising program for tour operators. 

To note, over 75 organizations—primarily from Armenia’s regions—are taking part in the Caucasus Travel Show 2013. The event expects to draw in visitors from Georgia, Egypt, Argentina, the United Arab Emirates, and several other countries.   

During the official opening of the international tourism fair, Armenia’s Deputy Economy Minister Ara Petrosyan noted that there is a significant increase in the number and the geographical scope of this year’s participants.

“The [tourism] sector is at an irreversible phase of development,” he stated.