Armenia is ready to welcome 3 million tourists per year

September 10, 2017 By administrator

The Armenian newspaper “Past” writes that between January and July 2017 Armenia experienced a sharp increase in tourism with a growth of 24.2% compared to the same period last year. In the first seven months of the year, 622,381 tourists stayed in Armenia, mainly from Russia, Georgia, the European Union and Iran. Also with the arrival of tourists from China, South Korea, Japan and Philippines. According to the tourism official in Armenia, Mekhak Apresyan – “Past” – this increase in tourism is the result of dynamic actions by the Armenian authorities for the development of tourism in Armenia. The newspaper also reported Mr Apresyan’s statement that Armenia is ready to welcome 3 million tourists a year.

Krikor Amirzayan

Armenia: Hidden treasure: Lake Sevan listed as affordable tourist destination in Europe

June 25, 2017 By administrator

,The international payment system Mastercard has rated Lake Sevan an undiscovered holiday destinations in Europe, offering affordable prices in an incredible landscape.

In the ranking published by Business Insider, foreign tourists are highly recommended to visit the Sevanavank monastery situated on the north-western peninsula.

The list of hidden treasures, including also Brest Belarus, Gjirokaster, Albania and other interesting destination, was compiled based on records by bloggers and tourists who visited different sites, as well as the Master data.

The full list, with the relevant information, is available here

GDCA: Large passenger flow to Armenia is expected during Nowruz holidays

March 14, 2017 By administrator

YEREVAN. – Several Iranian airlines are considerably increasing the number of flights to Armenia, ahead of the Nowruz (New Year) holidays, during which a large passenger flow is expected from Iran to Armenia.

From March 15 to April 4, Iranian airlines will conduct 67 regular and non-regular flights from Iran to Armenia, the General Department of Civil Aviation (GDCA) of Armenia informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

During this period, Iranian airlines will carry out an average of 22 such flights per week. The expected passenger flow will have a positive impact on tourism and economic development in Armenia.

“Halal” Office opened in Yerevan ahead of Novruz Holiday

March 10, 2017 By administrator

“Halal” Office was officially opened on Friday in Yerevan, attended by number of officials, Armenian Minister of Economic Development and Investments Suren Karayan among them.

In Mr Karayan’s words the opening of Halal office will promote the consumption volumes of Armenian products, increase tourist attractiveness of Armenia, as well as facilitate the access of the locally produced goods to new markets.

Armenian Ministry of Economic Development and Investment is set to organize awareness raising seminars for entrepreneurs along with the “Halal” office.

Director at “Halal” office Abdul Huseyin Fahari noted in his speech that the international agency provides certification to economic entities that produce goods in compliance of halal principles and practices in the food and beverages industry.

The certification authorized by Halal is valid in 57 countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The international center has operated since 2004.

Mr Fahari noted the office has launched cooperation with two slaughterhouses in Armenia, granting them the right to use Halal marking

To note, Halal Certification is a recognition that the products are permissible under Islamic law. These products are thus edible, drinkable or usable by Muslims.

The opening of the office comes ahead of Novruz holiday in neighboring Iran with expected Iranian tourism arrivals in Armenia.

Number of Iran-Armenia flights to increase during Nowruz

March 9, 2017 By administrator

Flights en route from Rasht to Yerevan will operate during the Nowruz period (Iranian New Year), ISNA Iranian news agency reports.

In an interview with ISNA, Executive Director of Sardar Jangal International Airport of Iranian Rasht city Gholamreza Karim Aghaei informed that the first flight en route from Rasht to Yerevan will operate in the period of Nowruz, namely on 19 March.

To note, besides Tehran, charter flights are also carried out from Iranian Tabriz and Mashhad cities to Yerevan.

As ISNA reports, the Ambassador of Iran to Armenia Seyed Kazem Sajjadi recently informed that after setting visa-free regime between Armenia and Iran the number of Iranian tourists to Armenia is expected to increase amounting to 350.000.

Karabakh seeks to attract Iranian tourists with Persian cultural heritage

October 5, 2016 By administrator

Nagorno Karabakh is keen to attract tourists from Iran using the Persian cultural heritage in its territory, Karabakhs’ Deputy Minister of Economy Sergey Shahverdyan said Tuesday, October 5.

“Iranian cultural heritage is constantly in the center of Karabakh authorities’ attention, and we take steps for the preservation of the Persian heritage, including mosques, tombs and other cultural relics,” Shahverdyan said.

Also, he reminded that an Iranian organizations was to implement a restoration project at the Upper Mosque in Shushi.

Citizens of Armenia and the CIS member states can travel to Karabakh without visas, while those of other countries will have to get corresponding passes right on the border, as well as at Karabakh representative offices in Yerevan, Warsaw, Paris, Moscow and elsewhere.

Armenia: Tourist destinations of Syunik province presented to Persian-speaking audience Video

September 25, 2016 By administrator

Another video dedicated to presenting Armenia’s tourist destinations to the Persian-speaking audience presents the sights of Syunik province.

The video features world’s oldest observatory, Zorats Karer (Karahunj), Tatev Monastery Complex built in the 9th century and the world’s longest reversible aerial tramway (5752m) built in 2010, included in the Guinness Book of Records.

You can also watch the previous videos of the project featuring the Temple of Garni.

Greece ambassador: Armenia has started to become appealing for Greek tourists

June 17, 2016 By administrator

interview greeg pm 740

Mr. Ambassador, what is the current state of the Greek economy, particularly in the tourism sector? Is the [economic] crisis behind? What development dynamics is being observed today?

Tourism became a stimulus so that the Greek economy develops after the years of the crisis. The crisis created a very difficult situation for the country’s economy, but tourism contributed so that the economy fills in some gaps and restores quite quickly and effectively.

The tourism appeal of Greece is growing every year, and the country’s economy is directly dependent on investments in the tourism sector. In this sense, the year 2015 was unprecedented in terms of tourism business income, plus the opening of new jobs.

In which domains does Greece cooperate with Armenia? Will there be new cooperation platforms and domains in the future?

Cooperation is carried out in the tourism sector itself. There are several Armenian travel agencies that organize trips to Greece. They mostly travel to Greece, but through various [travel] agencies, tourists also come from Greece to Armenia. The flow of tourists from Armenia to Greece is growing every year. The number of Armenian citizens applying to the embassy of this country to get a visa is also increasing. It is noteworthy that Armenia likewise has started to enjoy popularity among Greek tourists, as an ancient Christian country.

I should add that there is collaboration on other domains, too. For example, aluminum is imported from Greece to Armenia.

Since we mentioned tourism, which sights have you visited in Armenia?

I was in Erebuni Museum, which I liked very much. I think that the ancient temples here can attract not only me, but Greek tourists visiting Armenia. Given that the two peoples are very close to each other with history, spirit, it will be very interesting for the Greeks to interact with Armenians, along with sightseeing.

Can some works of art from Greece, let’s say from the new museum in Acropolis, be brought to Armenia for display?

The works of art are not limited to the Acropolis Museum alone; many works are in other museums. But it is difficult to relocate such works of art, which have great historical value; this is connected with quite expensive insurance services. But I can say that an archaeologist-lecturer from Greece is scheduled to visit Armenia soon, for two-day lectures at the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia. I should also note that Armenia likewise has a lot of things to display from the viewpoint of arts, which are of great historical value.

The term of your diplomatic mission [in Armenia] will end next month. What will you remember from Armenia? What will you take with you? And will you come back later, at least as a tourist?

I will remember that my work here went very smoothly. We have implemented numerous cooperation projects with Armenians. I will come back, if I can, to cooperate again. And if there is no such opportunity, [I will return] also as a tourist. It is easy to work with Armenians because they have a lot in common with Greeks. First of all, we have a similar history. We are also alike in the way of living, some traditions.

Many Iran tourists to Turkey visit Armenian church on Akhtamar Island

March 25, 2016 By administrator

akhtamar_holy-cross_0 The Iranians, who visit Turkey’s eastern provinces during Newroz—the Persian new year—, most visit Akhtamar Island in Lake Van—and where the Armenian Church of the Holy Cross is located—, and the Fortress of Van.

Head of the Van Tourism, Cultural Heritage Preservation and Development Association, Abdullah Tunçdemir, stated the aforesaid.

Tunçdemir told Milliyet daily newspaper of Turkey that a large number of Iranians have arrived in the country’s eastern provinces on Nowruz, and most of them have preferred Van.

He stressed that all hotels in Van are full during the Nowruz holidays.

German Sterligov recommends Russians to visit Karabakh

January 20, 2016 By administrator

russian tourist Russian businessman, as well as political and public figure German Sterligov has recommended Russia’s Krasnodar residents to visit Karabakh. He made this suggestion during the presentation of the 5th volume of his book on the History of Russia, called “From Adam to Putin,” Yerkramas reports.

According to Sterligov, people in Karabakh have retained their best human traits and are happy to welcome not only guests, especially from Russia, but also each other.

Apart from this, the businessman called Karabakh the most secure place on the planet.

“There is no criminality in Karabakh: a child with valuable property can go from one end of Stepanakert to another at night and nothing will happen to him,” he said.

Sterligov especially stressed the ecological cleanness of the region, where “water can still be drunk from rivers.”