YEREVAN, JANUARY 25, NOYAN TAPAN. The Union of Armenian Hotels, the Guild of Armenian Tourist Guides, the Union of Incoming Tour Operators of Armenia, the Armenian Tourism Development Agency, the Federation of Armenian Restaurants will continue coopeating in 2007 with the USAID Competitive Private Sector of Armenia (CAPS) Program and will recieve technical assistance. Armine Israelian, co-ordinator of the CAPS Program tourism clusters, told NT correspondent about it. In her words, American tourism expert Jim Phillips will come to Armenia in late February to take part in the work on developing the strategy of this year's activities of the above mentioned organizations and the working out of their annual business-plans. According to A. Israelian, this spring two-week waiter courses will be organized for the fourth time for the employees and managing staff of the Union of Armenian Hotels and the Federation of Armenian Restaurants. The courses will be conducted by qualifiied experts of the American Hotel Association. It is also envisaged to refresh the websites of these organizations and create website for those that still do not have one. It was mentioned that several initiatives representing Armenia's tourism sector abroad will also receive assistance by the CAPS program.

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