U.S. envoy joins Turkish-Armenian Tour Operators Network meetingAugust 27, 2015 - 11:23 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Highlighting the economic importance of the tourism sector and the value of cross-border cooperation, U.S. ambassador Richard M. Mills, Jr. joined members of the Turkish-Armenian Tour Operators Network (TATON) during a meeting in Yerevan on Wednesday, Aug 26. TATON developed as a result of USAID’s Bridges project, an effort to develop economic activity on the cross-border region through tourism. The network’s membership includes the most active travel companies and tour operators in the region. “The Turkish-Armenian Tour Operators Network and its members are working together to tackle the difficult task of cross-border cooperation,” ambassador Mills said. “One of the most effective drivers of cooperation is common business interests. This association’s goal of promoting business and the business interests of the local Armenian and Turkish communities is very laudable.” TATON facilitates collaboration on cross-border trips. Though it routinely operates through an online social network, occasional in-person gatherings allow tour operators from both sides to meet, share concerns, and formalize agreements on joint tours. “Tourism plays an important role in economic development, and when local communities cooperate economically, they broaden their horizons and share the benefits,” ambassador Mills said. “Cross-border tourism highlights the commonality of communities as much as it celebrates diversity. Armenia and Turkey share more than they sometimes realize: environment, history, and many aspects of culture.” USAID has been working with the Armenian tourism sector since the early 2000s. Primarily, it has focused on improving service quality and building the capacity of Armenia’s tourism sector. For the on-going Bridges project in Armenia, USAID partners with the AMAP (Armenian Monuments Awareness Project) Human Development NGO, best known for installing educational signage at some of Armenia’s most unique historic and cultural tourist spots. Prior to the creation of TATON, the Bridges project helped local partners to develop the Black Sea Silk Road Corridor through Greece, Turkey, Georgia, and Armenia. Top stories The Cabinet of Ministers decided on Thursday, November 9 to allocated AMD 120 million to arrange the gathering. Michael Roth believes sanctions must be put on the table after Baku‘s ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Yerevan City Council has elected Tigran Avniyan from the ruling Civil Contract as the mayor of the Armenian capital. The Armenian Parliament on Tuesday, October 3 voted to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |