YEREVAN. - Intensive development of mining industry in Armenia has not caused problems for tourism so far, the head of tourism department, Armenian Ministry of Economy, Mekhak Apresyan told a press conference on Wednesday.

He mentioned that in the first half of current year the influx of tourists in Armenia increased by 15 %, making 266 thousand people.

The head of Ecolur (econews) NGO Inga Zarafyan does not share official’s opinion, reminding that pretty soon Amulsar gold mine will start operating only 12 km far from Jermuk resort town.

According to the environment protection activist, Jermuk will soon stop being a resort area, as tourists will not come to Jermuk to see mines.