YEREVAN. – Russian tourists will benefit from traveling to Armenia instead of Turkey, Mr Robert Minasyan, director of the Armenian Institute of Tourism, said Thursday at the presentation on the prospects of a united service industries market in the Eurasian economic Union.

He pointed out that in 2015, around 450 thousand Russian tourists chose not to visit Turkey, as compared to the previous year. It translated into a loss of $2 bln income and slashed 10 thousand jobs in Turkish hospitality sector.

“I think this group of tourists wouldn’t regret traveling to Armenian tourist destinations,” Minasyan said.

On the other hand, Russia and its fellow members of the Eurasian Union, could incentivize traveling to Armenia through tour operators.

“Only 10% of incoming Russian tourists in Armenia choose this option”, he added.