YEREVAN ­ Armenia¹s improved reputation in the world accounts for an increase in the number of tourists visiting the country. According to the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development, 22 thousand tourists have visited Armenia in the first quarter of this year. This number is 16 percent higher than the number in the same period of 2001.

It is expected that more people will visit Armenia this year than last year, which market 1700th anniversary of Christianity. Last year, 100 thousand tourists visited the country.