VAN. – Turkish companies dealing with souvenirs and jewelry in Van again hope to host Armenian tourists as the cross was put on Armenian St Khach church in Akhtamar (Turkey). However, Armenian News-NEWS.am reporter does not see last year’s passion.

95 years later after the Armenian Genocide, St Khach Church in Akhtamar held for the first time liturgy on September 19 in 2010. However, the Turkish authorities did not put the cross on the church, making excuses that they will not manage in time. The cross was put 10 days after the liturgy. Armenians throughout the world did not admit this step by the authorities and boycotted the liturgy.

After the cross was put, the number of visitors to Akhtamar has doubled. The 2010 registered 30,000 tourists, while the first six months of 2011 already registered more tourists than it was during the whole 2010.