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JAPANESE TOURISTS WILL DISCOVER ARMENIA IN 2006
Azg/arm
21 July 05
"Japanese tourist will be interested in all these that we saw in
Armenia", representative of one of five Japanese tour operators
visiting Armenia on July 16-20, Eiji Koyama, said. At a meeting
with Armenian Agency for Tourism Development (AATD) yesterday the
Japanese tour operators presented the aim of their four-day visit
and the possible expectations.
Representation of Armenia at JATA International Tourism Exhibition in
2002 and 2004 made Japanese turn their look to Armenia as a possible
destination to attract Asian tourists. The AATD marketing expert said
that the visit was of familiarizing character and aimed at introducing
Armenia to Asia.
Mr. Koyama said that the visit has changed their understanding of
Armenia. Armenia, along with the other states of the region, is seen
to the Japanese as a dangerous country. But Mr. Koyama stated that
there is no trace of danger, that Armenia is an interesting country
and that the Japanese will be interested in the history, production
and daily life of Armenia.
The Japanese tour operator was greatly impressed by the Mount Ararat,
the Monastery of Geghard and the nature of Armenia. "It would be nice
if there were better roads and less cows on the roads", Mr. Koyama
said. He noted that he had visited Khor Virap, Noravank, Hakhartsin,
Sanahin, Haghpat, Etchmiadzin, Matenadaran and the Cognac and Wine
Factory. The Japanese guests greatly enjoyed the process of lavash
(flatbread) baking in one of Armenian villages.
Armenia, at any rate, is not a good option for Japan for one-way
tourism in view of the long distance from Japan to Armenia.
The Japanese tour operators will look to organizing regional trips
including Armenia in the list with its neighboring countries. The
group may comprise South Caucasian countries or may be a separate group
of Armenia and Turkey. As a result of the newly launched cooperation
first groups from Japan will visit Armenia in 2006.
By Aghavni Harutyunian
Azg/arm
21 July 05
"Japanese tourist will be interested in all these that we saw in
Armenia", representative of one of five Japanese tour operators
visiting Armenia on July 16-20, Eiji Koyama, said. At a meeting
with Armenian Agency for Tourism Development (AATD) yesterday the
Japanese tour operators presented the aim of their four-day visit
and the possible expectations.
Representation of Armenia at JATA International Tourism Exhibition in
2002 and 2004 made Japanese turn their look to Armenia as a possible
destination to attract Asian tourists. The AATD marketing expert said
that the visit was of familiarizing character and aimed at introducing
Armenia to Asia.
Mr. Koyama said that the visit has changed their understanding of
Armenia. Armenia, along with the other states of the region, is seen
to the Japanese as a dangerous country. But Mr. Koyama stated that
there is no trace of danger, that Armenia is an interesting country
and that the Japanese will be interested in the history, production
and daily life of Armenia.
The Japanese tour operator was greatly impressed by the Mount Ararat,
the Monastery of Geghard and the nature of Armenia. "It would be nice
if there were better roads and less cows on the roads", Mr. Koyama
said. He noted that he had visited Khor Virap, Noravank, Hakhartsin,
Sanahin, Haghpat, Etchmiadzin, Matenadaran and the Cognac and Wine
Factory. The Japanese guests greatly enjoyed the process of lavash
(flatbread) baking in one of Armenian villages.
Armenia, at any rate, is not a good option for Japan for one-way
tourism in view of the long distance from Japan to Armenia.
The Japanese tour operators will look to organizing regional trips
including Armenia in the list with its neighboring countries. The
group may comprise South Caucasian countries or may be a separate group
of Armenia and Turkey. As a result of the newly launched cooperation
first groups from Japan will visit Armenia in 2006.
By Aghavni Harutyunian