ARMENIA TRAVEL MARKET NEWS

ARMENIA TRAVEL MARKET NEWS will present all the news concerning the travel industry of Armenia. That can be any event that this or that way can have an impact on the supply or demand of the Armenian travel market. That event can be any big international company coming to Armenia, any new air-route opened or any changes in already existing flight schedules, any top official from international communities planning to visit Armenia, statistics, etc. All this information can help better react to the ever-changing marketing environment.

Russian FM to visit Armenia

12.01.2010 12:12

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will pay a two-day visit to Armenia January 13-14. Within the framework of the visit he will have meetings with the President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, and Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.

The focus will be the exchange of views on the continuation of negotiations on a settlement in Nagorno Karabakh in the context of mediation efforts undertaken by Russia to resolve the conflict.

Bilateral cooperation and the situation in the wider Caucasus are also expected to be discussed.

Source: Public Radio of Armenia

Head of Italian Civil Service Department to visit Armenia

YEREVAN, December 18, 2009

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed today between the Italian Civil Service Department, Ministry for Public Administration and Innovation and the Civil Service Council of Armenia.

The Memorandum envisages implementation of programs in the directions of cooperation between Civil Services of the two countries and implementation of reforms, academic trainings and retraining of cadres in the sphere, Armenian MFA reported.

From the Armenian side the Memorandum was signed by Manvel Badalyan, Chairman of the Civil Service of Armenia. From the Italian side it was signed by Antonio Naddeo, Head of the Civil Service Department of the Italian Ministry of Public Administration and Innovation.

An agreement was reached over the visit of the Head of the Italian Civil Service Department to Armenia in 2010.

Source: Panorama.am

An Armenian-Indian IT Center to open in Yerevan in 2010

YEREVAN, December 17, 2009

Secretary of the National Security Council of Armenia Arthur Baghdasaryan received the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia Achal Kumar Malhotra.

Highly appreciating the friendly relations between Armenia and India, Arthur Baghdasaryan voiced hope that the ties would further develop during the Ambassador's tenure in office.

The parties attached importance to the launching of cooperation between the Security Councils of the two countries. Arthur Baghdasaryan invited his Indian counterpart to visit Armenia to determine the directions of cooperation in the field of security.

The Ambassador expressed willingness to promote the deepening of bilateral ties in different spheres of reciprocal importance.

According to Achal Kumar Malhotra, India intends to open an Armenian-Indian Center for Information Technologies in Armenia in 2010.

Source: Public Radio of Armenia

Jetro representative to visit Armenia

YEREVAN, November 27,

/ARKA/. A representative of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) will pay a visit to Armenia to establish new business contacts with local businessmen, Armenian foreign ministry said.

It said the agreement to this end was reached in Tokyo by the visiting Armenian foreign minister Edward Nalbandian and JETRO president Yasup Khayashi. Edward Nalbandian is visiting Japan at the invitation of its government.

The foreign ministry in Yerevan said Nalbandian and JETRO president discussed chances of developing Armenian-Japanese trade and economic cooperation. It said the Armenian minister presented the investment climate of Armenia.

“As a result of the meeting the sides agreed that a JETRO representative will visit Yerevan to discuss with Armenian partners ways to start mutually beneficial cooperation,' the ministry said.

JETRO, or the Japan External Trade Organization, is a government-related organization that works to promote mutual trade and investment between Japan and the rest of the world. Originally established in 1958 to promote Japanese exports abroad, JETRO's core focus in the 21st century has shifted toward promoting foreign direct investment into Japan and helping small to medium size Japanese firms maximize their global export potential.

Polish PM may visit Armenia

28.11.2009 14:59 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan met Saturday with visiting Polish Defense Minister Bogdan Klich. PM Sargsyan voiced hope that the visit will help development of bilateral relations and thanked the Polish Sejm for adoption of the Armenian Genocide resolution.

In discussion of regional issues, the Armenian PM briefed on the process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations and on the current stage of Karabakh conflict settlement talks.

Mr. Klich, for his part, said that his country welcomes signature of the Armenian-Turkish protocols and stands for peaceful resolution of conflicts in the South Caucasus. He also stressed the importance of the Eastern Partnership initiative.

The RA government's information center reported that Polish Prime Minister is expected to visit Armenia soon.

India plans to open IT education center in Armenia

27.11.2009 20:43 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ National Assembly Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan Friday received newly appointed Indian Ambassador to Armenia Achal Kumar Malhotra.

Congratulating the diplomat on his appointment, Armenian Speaker expressed hope that he would promote the development and strengthening of Armenian-Indian ties.

With regard to inter-parliamentary relations, Mr. Abrahamyan stressed the importance of legal cooperation between parliamentary friendship groups, as well as collaboration within international organizations.

In turn, Indian Ambassador promised to invest his best efforts in developing bilateral relations in various spheres.

He also informed RA Parliament Speaker of his country's plans to open an IT education center in Armenia.

At the end of the meeting, Mr. Abrahamyan asked Achal Kumar Malhotra to convey to Indian Parliament speaker his invitation to visit Armenia, RA NA official Web site reports.

Armenia To Cut Visa Fees In Bid To Boost Tourism

17 October 2008

The government will ask parliament to approve a fivefold reduction in visa fees for foreign citizens making short trips to Armenia as part of its efforts to boost the national tourism industry.

Foreigners traveling to Armenia currently have to pay a fixed fee of 15,000 drams ($50) for a visa valid for up to 120 days. Under a draft legal amendment approved by the government on Thursday, those of them who plan to stay in the country for up to 21 days would be charged only 3,000 drams. The fee for those planning longer stays would remain unchanged.

A government statement said the measure is designed to attract more tourists to Armenia. It argued that such travelers typically spend no more than three weeks in a particular country.

Obtaining an Armenian visa is already quite easy. Foreigners can get it not only at Armenian consulates abroad but at Yerevan airport and the country's land border crossings. Also, in 2003 Armenia became the second country in the world to issue visas online.

Armenia's tourism sector has expanded significantly over the past decade parallel to its economic growth and improving services infrastructure. Successive governments in Yerevan have declared its development a top economic priority.

The cabinet of Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian also approved on Thursday a separate four-year plan of measures which it hopes will spur further growth in tourism. The government statement said they are specifically aimed at “improving the legal framework regulating the sector and developing the tourism infrastructure.” It did not elaborate.

According to government estimates, a record-high 500,000 foreigners, most of them ethnic Armenians from Europe, the United States and Russia, visited Armenia last year. Tourism officials at the Armenian Ministry of Economy say their number will likely rise to 600,000 this year despite the recent war in neighboring Georgia.

By Armenia Liberty.org

Jermuk Ashkhar Health Complex added to VisitArm

09 March 2008

Jermuk Ashkharh Health Complex is added to VisitArm Armenian Hotel Reservation Center's database. The Health Complex has all the modern facilities of a spa-resort. It is located in Jermuk city, on the edge of the gorge and below the high mountains covered forests. The air is fresh, the water is immortal, and the prices are affordable. Check the terms and features of the complex here.

UAE and Armenia sign five joint cooperation agreements

WAM
Published: December 13, 2007, 09:33

Abu Dhabi: The UAE and Armenia signed on Wednesday five agreements to enhance joint cooperation in areas of foreign policy, agriculture, culture, tourism and road.

Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his Armenian counterpart Vardan Oskanian signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for establishing a mechanism for political consultation and coordination on bilateral relations as well as on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Minister of Environment and Water Dr Mohammed Saeed Al Kindi and the Armenian foreign minister also concluded an agreement for agricultural cooperation.

The Armenian minister also inked a AED 37 million loan agreement with Ahmed Sari Al Mazrouei, director general of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development for rehabilitating a tunnel in Armenia.

The two countries struck an agreement for cooperation in tourism and another one for establishing embassies was also initialed.

GOVERNMENT APPROVES NEW VISA PROCEDURE FOR FOREIGNERS

Thursday, November 15, /Azg/ The Government of Armenia approved a new procedure for approval and registration of invitations extended by Armenian citizens to their friends and relatives abroad.

The new procedure stems from a new Law on Foreigners approved by parliament last February.

Head of Passport and Visa Department of the Police, Ms. Alvina Zakarian, said after the Government session that all Armenian citizens and foreigners permanently residening in Armenia have been granted the right to send invitations to any person to visit Armenia.

The application is to be submitted to the appropriate police station. Police in turn asks by electronic mail the National Security Service to approve or deny the application. Alvina Zakarian said only persons regarded non grata are banned from visiting the country.

Under the new procedure, the amount of state due paid for invitation's registration has been cut from 12,000 Drams to 5,000. The new procedure has prolonged also the term of staying in the country from previous 21 days to 120 days.

A foreigner must apply for prolongation of his or her visa two days prior to its expiration, otherwise they will face administrative penalties. They will have to pay 500 Drams for every extra day of staying in Armenia.

Alvina Zakarian said the changes were made to facilitate the arrival of foreigners in Armenia and help boost tourism.

Armenia's Access To Turkish Airspace Restricted

By Ruzanna Stepanian

Turkey has banned Armenian civilian aircraft from flying over its territory en route to Syria and Lebanon, government officials in Yerevan said on Thursday.

They told RFE/RL that Turkish aviation authorities have cited unspecified “technical reasons” for the ban in separate letters to the Armenian government's Civil Aviation Department and the Armavia national airline, which carries out regular flights from Yerevan to Beirut and Aleppo. The letters were sent after an Armavia plane bound for the Lebanese capital was denied access to Turkish airspace and had return to Yerevan Tuesday.

“Turkish aviation authorities have officially notified us that there are problems relating to the Yerevan-Aleppo and Yerevan-Beirut flights and that those flights will not be serviced by them temporarily and will have to rerouted,” said Gayane Davtian, a spokeswoman for the department.

Both Davtian and Armavia officials said the Turkish side did not elaborate on reasons for the restriction that does not seem to apply to the Syrian airline Astrom that operates weekly flights services from Aleppo and Damascus to the Armenian capital. An Astrom representative in Yerevan said its next flight scheduled for Saturday will go ahead as planned.

“Through diplomatic channels we yesterday asked the Turkish authorities to clarify the situation,” Vladimir Karapetian, a spokesman for the Armenian Foreign Ministry, told RFE/RL. “We have not yet received a reply.”

Turkey has kept its airspace open to passenger jets flying to and from Armenia for the past several years while refusing to reopen the Turkish-Armenian land border and establish diplomatic relations with Yerevan. Some Turkish officials and politicians warned recently that Ankara could scrap the over-flying rights if the U.S. Congress passes a resolution recognizing the mass killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as genocide.

Davtian said Turkey has so far placed on restrictions on weekly flights Yerevan and Istanbul as well as Armenian and other aircraft flying to and from Europe via Turkish territory. She also said that Turkish planes continue to use Armenia's airspace for carrying out flights to third countries. “Armenia's airspace remains open to all countries,” added the official.

Armenia Marriott Hotel Yerevan
06 January 2007

We are happy to announce that Armenia Marriott Hotel Yerevan has joined the list of Yerevan hotels that cooperate with us, VisitArm Armenian Hotel Reservation Center. For the time being Armenia Marriott Hotel has the highest rates in the Yerevan, but considering the quality and the unbeatable location of the hotel on Republic Square, the heart of Yerevan, it is a great value for both business and leisure travelers wishing to be in the center of cultural, business, political and leisure activities in Yerevan. The well-trained staff, great guestrooms and meeting rooms and the ballroom with state-of-the-art conference equipment, variety of restaurants, bars and cafes with extensive menus make Armenia Marriott Hotel a perfect choice. Armenia Marriott Hotel with other upscale hotels in Yerevan will give more options to choose for our dear guests booking Yerevan hotel accommodations through VisitArm Armenian Hotel Reservation Center.

Regineh Hotel Added to VisitArm Database
17 January 2006

We had a surprise to discover Hotel Regineh in the Gardens of Nork, on the hilltop, overlooking Yerevan city-center and looking directly to magnificent Mount Ararat. Hotel Regineh is a nice, newly built 3-star hotel assigned to accommodate business and leisure travellers with middle budget. The hotel has 58 rooms and suites, which are cosy and comfortable, modern conference facilities of 2 halls. The construction of Hotel Regineh started in 2002 when Mr. Karapet Ghazarian, the owner of the hotel, came to Armenia and decided to build a nice hotel in his motherland which will comply with all the western hotel industry standards. Mr. Ghazarian built the hotel and dedicated it to the blessed memory of bloved Mrs. Regineh Ghazarian. Now the hotel is ready to offer its gracious hospitality to its precious guests promising unforgetable memories of Yerevan, Armenia and the Mount Ararat.

VisitArm Already Offering Tours Throughout Armenia!
20 March 2005

Connected with the increasing demand for sight-seeing tours in Yerevan and throughout Armenia by its guests, VisitArm decided to enlarge the scope of its activities by providing tour services in addition to already existing hotel reservations, rent-a-car and translator /interpreter services. For that purpose VisitArm started cooperation with Wish-Up Adventures, a company with solid experience of rendering high-level tours services for already 10 years. Presently VisitArm offers mainly 1-day tours in Yerevan and all-over Armenia. The tours are designed to cover the most exciting destinations in Armenia like Garni-Geghard, Echmiadzin, Tsaghkadzor, Lake Sevan, Jermuk, etc.