DUSHANBE, March 6, Asia-Plus  -- In 2007, tourism revenues in the national budget rose 69 percent from the previous year to 1.3 million somonis (equivalent to $386,600), Asia-Plus has learned from Bakhtiyor Hamdamov, the deputy head of the Committee for Youth’s Policy, Sports and Tourism under the Government of Tajikistan. 

According to him, Tajik tour operators last year rendered services for a total amount of 16.9047 million somonis, which was 2.6 times more than in 2006.  

Hamdamov noted that the number of foreign tourists visiting Tajikistan through local tourism companies rose 70 percent in the year to January 31, 2007, reaching 9,600 people.  “In 2006, 5,636 foreign tourists visited the country,” he said.  

In the meantime, a total number of foreigners visiting Tajikistan in 2007, excepting those who arrived in Tajikistan for work, amounted to 320,500 people, the deputy head said.  

Another 37 tourism companies were registered in Tajikistan last year, bringing the total number  of tour operators in the country to 112.  According to the committee, only 25-30 of them currently actively operate: Sayoh; Tajikaviatour; Tajikaviaservice; Intourist Tajikistan; Kafolat; Bunyod, Vostok Trading, etc.