DUSHANBE, October 27, - More than 29,500 foreign tourists have visited Tajikistan of the first three quarter of this year, which is 3.1 time more compared to the same period of last year, According to Ministry of Economy and Trade (MET).

In the meantime, number of Tajik tourists traveling to other countries has declined this year.  A source at a MET said that over the same nine-month period, 10,547 Tajik national have traveled to other countries, which is 3,500 people fewer than in January-September 2005. 

According to the source, 32 tourism companies have been granted licenses this year, bringing a tot al number of tourism operators functioning in the country to 78. 

Experts from the ministry of economy and trade say that Tajik government’s resolution easing visa requirements for citizens of a number of countries has promoted increase in number of foreign tourists traveling to Tajikistan. 

The resolution of March 31, 2006 allows citizens of 68 countries to obtain 45-day visas within three days.  The countries include France, Germany, Iran, Japan, and the United States, etc.