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ACTIVE IDEA: ARMENIA REVEALS POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPING EXTREME TOURISM
By Sara Khojoyan
ArmeniaNow
27.09.11 | 14:17
Mountain biking and hiking tours, skiing and cycling may become
Armenia's visiting card for those into adventure holidaymaking. In
a country where tourism is regarded as part of the general economic
development policy there are ample opportunities for developing
particularly such a niche in the industry as extreme tourism.
Enlarge Photo NCFA representative gets a prize from National Geographic
Traveler official
The National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia (NCFA) cited a
leading magazine's claim that Armenia is among the world's top three
destinations for adventure tourism.
"As a result of an international vote the world-famous National
Geographic Traveler magazine ranked Armenia among the top three
countries according to active -- including extreme -- rest," the
Foundation said.
Companies engaged in the organization of active recreation in Armenia
believe the estimation of such a prestigious magazine will only
promote the flow of tourists preferring adventures to the country.
Natoura Tour company head Eduard Gevorgyan says that "it may be a
great stimulus for developing the industry."
"Our government will do the right thing if it works towards getting
Armenia into the top statistics of extreme tourism. Armenia is still
known as a historical and cultural tourism center, even though the
world is moving towards more adventurous vacations," says Gevorgyan.
According to the NCFA, Armenia offers the following types of adventure
tourism that fit its climatic conditions: hiking, trekking, skiing,
mountain biking, cycling, horse riding, etc..
Industry experts say they are convinced that Armenia has a great
potential for developing adventure tourism. But they also point out
a number of obstacles to the development of this trend.
Gevorgyan singles out the lack of proper infrastructure and shortage
of specialists.
"Adventure recreation routes are not adapted to international
standards, which is an obstacle to locating these places. Meanwhile,
such places abroad are given a priority and no other economic
activities are normally carried out there," he says.
The NCFA told ArmeniaNow that their Board of Trustees had set tourism
as the body's priority and keeps this industry in the center of
its attention.
In particular, a southern corridor strategic plan for tourism
development in Armenia has been devised for the purpose of spurring
development in the mentioned directions.
According to the NCFA's Public Relations Department, a "Zangezur
Paths" has been implemented this year as part of the plan with
the aim of creating a network of hiking pathways in some southern
parts of Armenia. Also, a project of transforming Mozrov Cave has
been developed with the purpose of turning it into Armenia's first
demonstrational tourist cave. Jointly with the "Zhayrern I Ver"
Club, the second international mountaineering festival was held -
the gorges of Garni, the Arpa river and Noravank had been selected
as the main places for climbing, the NCFA said.
Official data for the first six months of 2011 show a 15-percent
increase in the number of tourists visiting Armenia over the same
period last year.
Natoura Tour Company head Gevorgyan says the number of visitors
interested in adventure tourism is also growing from year to year. He
says only non-Armenians turn to them for such rest and that the number
of their customers this year has increased by 10-15 percent.
"It is already 12 years that we have been in this business, and we have
no problem with personnel, however the demand for adventure tourism
guides is one of the top obstacles. Such specialists must be able to
survive in extreme conditions, make decisions quickly in difficult
situations. But no higher school teaches such things," says Gevorgyan.
A total of 12 universities in Armenia offer courses for tourism,
with 2,890 students attending them as of this year.
By Sara Khojoyan
ArmeniaNow
27.09.11 | 14:17
Mountain biking and hiking tours, skiing and cycling may become
Armenia's visiting card for those into adventure holidaymaking. In
a country where tourism is regarded as part of the general economic
development policy there are ample opportunities for developing
particularly such a niche in the industry as extreme tourism.
Enlarge Photo NCFA representative gets a prize from National Geographic
Traveler official
The National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia (NCFA) cited a
leading magazine's claim that Armenia is among the world's top three
destinations for adventure tourism.
"As a result of an international vote the world-famous National
Geographic Traveler magazine ranked Armenia among the top three
countries according to active -- including extreme -- rest," the
Foundation said.
Companies engaged in the organization of active recreation in Armenia
believe the estimation of such a prestigious magazine will only
promote the flow of tourists preferring adventures to the country.
Natoura Tour company head Eduard Gevorgyan says that "it may be a
great stimulus for developing the industry."
"Our government will do the right thing if it works towards getting
Armenia into the top statistics of extreme tourism. Armenia is still
known as a historical and cultural tourism center, even though the
world is moving towards more adventurous vacations," says Gevorgyan.
According to the NCFA, Armenia offers the following types of adventure
tourism that fit its climatic conditions: hiking, trekking, skiing,
mountain biking, cycling, horse riding, etc..
Industry experts say they are convinced that Armenia has a great
potential for developing adventure tourism. But they also point out
a number of obstacles to the development of this trend.
Gevorgyan singles out the lack of proper infrastructure and shortage
of specialists.
"Adventure recreation routes are not adapted to international
standards, which is an obstacle to locating these places. Meanwhile,
such places abroad are given a priority and no other economic
activities are normally carried out there," he says.
The NCFA told ArmeniaNow that their Board of Trustees had set tourism
as the body's priority and keeps this industry in the center of
its attention.
In particular, a southern corridor strategic plan for tourism
development in Armenia has been devised for the purpose of spurring
development in the mentioned directions.
According to the NCFA's Public Relations Department, a "Zangezur
Paths" has been implemented this year as part of the plan with
the aim of creating a network of hiking pathways in some southern
parts of Armenia. Also, a project of transforming Mozrov Cave has
been developed with the purpose of turning it into Armenia's first
demonstrational tourist cave. Jointly with the "Zhayrern I Ver"
Club, the second international mountaineering festival was held -
the gorges of Garni, the Arpa river and Noravank had been selected
as the main places for climbing, the NCFA said.
Official data for the first six months of 2011 show a 15-percent
increase in the number of tourists visiting Armenia over the same
period last year.
Natoura Tour Company head Gevorgyan says the number of visitors
interested in adventure tourism is also growing from year to year. He
says only non-Armenians turn to them for such rest and that the number
of their customers this year has increased by 10-15 percent.
"It is already 12 years that we have been in this business, and we have
no problem with personnel, however the demand for adventure tourism
guides is one of the top obstacles. Such specialists must be able to
survive in extreme conditions, make decisions quickly in difficult
situations. But no higher school teaches such things," says Gevorgyan.
A total of 12 universities in Armenia offer courses for tourism,
with 2,890 students attending them as of this year.