Number of investment projects aimed at linking tourism with community development programs are planned to be implemented in Garni and Goght communities of Armenia, acting Deputy PM Vache Gabrielyan told reporters on Saturday during the working visit to Kotayk province.



“The corresponding program has been submitted and adopted at the National Assembly, as planning works are at present underway, including for Garni,” Gabrielyan said, adding the ‘new infrastructure will link different tourism products altogether in the area.’



“A new road will be constructed to lead to the Symphony of Stones with a parking and illumination,” said the minister, adding the ideology beyond the projects in Garni and Geghard will be introduced in other communities, as in Goris.



The Garni project requires investments worth of 55 million USD. The main reconstruction works are planned for the coming year.



Armenia’s Minister of Culture Armen Amiryan, on his part, noted that the ministry has presented infrastructure development proposals to the President.



“The President specifically highlighted the availability of leisure places and placing new information boards. Issues related to popularizing the pagan temple were also discussed. There was a direct instruction to renovate the mosaic of the adjacent bath-house and provide new solutions,” Amiryan said.



The minister also informed that tourist visits to Garni have risen by 38 per cent for the first four months of the current year to compare with the previous year data. In his words, the number is expected to reach 50 per cent mark till the end of the year.