THE DIVERSITY OF ARMENIA ARMENIA, AN ANCIENT AND BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY, HOSTS MANY UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES
By Motaz Othman
eTurbo News
Nov 30 2009
During the World Travel Market (WTM), eTurboNews (eTN) visited the
Armenia stand, where representatives from the Armenia Tourism Board,
hotels, resorts, and Armenian tour operators were exhibiting to
introduce Armenia to WTM exhibitors.
Motaz Othman, eTN’s Middle East editor, had a few minutes talk with
Ms. Anna Khachaturova and asked her about Armenia’s attractions and
what makes it a unique and interesting destination along with a large
number of interesting and important historical and early Christian
monuments, rich cultural heritage, fascinating landscapes, and diverse
flora and fauna.
Anna Khachaturova shared that first of all, it is Armenians living in
this ancient and beautiful country, therefore, all cultural tour
programs and holiday packages are featured and strengthened with the
human touch, enabling tourists to explore traditions, national
characteristics, culture, and, of course, the famous hospitality of
Armenians. All travel packages, together with discovering the most
interesting architectural, Christian, cultural, and historical
monuments, most of which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage
List, as well as fantastic landscapes of Armenia, also include visits
to the Armenian countryside, meetings with interesting local people,
participation in making famous Armenian hand-made carpets, Armenian
souvenirs, Armenian wine and brandy, and Armenian traditional bread,
"Lavash."
Walk and explore, trekking, hiking, and culture tours enable tourists
to appreciate the countryside and healthy lifestyle, see the most
important sightseeing places, and explore the country on foot rather
than by bus. These holidays are more focused on the discovery the
country’s nature, Armenians, and the Armenian lifestyle. Trekking
tours enable visitors to experience the atmosphere of and gain a real
insight into a local area where one may enjoy the sights and sounds of
Armenia’s glorious countryside. Tourists will see fascinating details
of areas inhabited by man for over many thousands of years; hear about
the history, farming, flora, and fauna; and learn entertaining
anecdotes of those famous areas. Walks include visits along the way
and a great chance to meet local people. Armenia tour operators are
promoting long-term partnership with the community-based providers of
tourist services thus supporting the development of local economies
and pioneering and promoting socially- and environmentally-responsible
tourism in Armenia.
Trekking/walking programs are about filled environments rich in
natural beauty, wildlife, history, and cultural realities of Armenia.
These tours present a fantastic and unprecedented mixture of
riding/trekking and adventure tourism in Armenia’s most fascinating
mountainous wild environment and discovery of Armenia’s rich cultural,
historical, and ethnic heritage.
Armenian cuisine is as ancient as the history of Armenia and a
wonderful combination of different tastes and aromas. Closely related
to eastern cuisine, various spices, vegetables, fish, and fruits
combine to present a unique experience for any visitor to the country.
Fruits such as peaches, apples, pears, cherries, mulberry, figs,
pomegranates, strawberries, and water melons are particularly
succulent, but in particular, Armenia is famed for its apricots, which
many consider taste better than anywhere else in the world. As early
as the 4th century BC, Alexander the Great brought apricot trees from
Armenia to Greece, which eventually found their way to Rome.
Environmental protection is important among local communities and
people, so tourists will enjoy the care and preservation of local
fauna and flora.
A warm welcome to Armenia is extended to everyone who visits – the
single traveler, couples, families, and groups of various sizes.
Armenia is exciting, enjoyable, and forever memorable; a destination
where you can experience archaeology, architecture, Christianity,
history, culture, and most of all, the warm Armenian welcome.
Ms. Anna is the CEO of Nueva Vista, an incoming tour operator in
Armenia/Georgia. Its primary focus is to produce and execute
good-value, in-bound tours (cultural, religious, adventure, culinary,
etc.) and to provide DM services such as event management and
conferences to its worldwide-located partners and clients.