Artsakh arouses more and more interest among tourists

According to the data of the Consular Service of the NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the past nine months of 2010 more than 7,000 foreign citizens visited NKR, which has considerably increased as compared with the similar period of 2009.

These data testify that year by year Artsakh arouses interest in the world, despite Azerbaijan’s active counteraction and announcement of the foreign citizens, visiting NKR, personae non gratae. Tourists are attracted with ancient historical monuments, magnificent nature, picturesque canyons, healthy ecology, mineral and hot springs. However, according to them, the country’s main treasure is the good-natured and hospitable people.

Mostly citizens from the EU countries, from U.S., Russia, Turkmenistan, Georgia, visited NKR. A lot of foreigners visit NKR many times. Every year, the geography of foreign tourists visiting the NKR is expanding. This year, citizens of Gabon and Côte d’Ivoire visited NKR for the first time. During the past two years the flow of tourists from Iran has increased.

Generally, tourists visit Gandzasar (XIII century), Amaras (IV c.), Dadivank (IV c.) monasteries, the site of excavations of the ancient town of Tigranakert, the Azokh cave, Nikol Duman Museum, as well as ancient Armenian fortresses of Akanaberd, Levonaberd, Berdaqar, Askeran, Tumasaberd, etc.

The opening of the Stepanakert airport in May, 2011 is to considerably contribute to the development of tourism, NKR MFA Press Service reports.