August 13, 2014 - 18:59 AMT
Armenia’s national brand to be unveiled before yearend: official

Armenia’s tree-year branding and development strategy and its national brand will be unveiled before the end of this year, Mekhak Apresyan, head of tourism division at the RA Economy Ministry, said Wednesday, Aug 13, according to ARKA.

He said Armenia used certain brands before, but a systematic approach and targeted strategy will improve the previous achievement and boost tourist flows.

“Some peculiarities can be used as brand – Armenia as the first Christian country, the legend about Noah, Armenian national musical instruments, particularly duduk, cuisine and people,” Apresyan told a news conference in Yerevan.

On Feb 20, Armenia’s National Competitiveness Fund and American GK Brand company signed an agreement to create an Armenian national brand.

Besides, Arman Khachaturyan, the head of the fund, Armenian Economy Minister Vahram Avanesyan and Head of USAID Yerevan Office Karen Hilliard signed a memorandum for the brand creation.

The GK Brand’s team includes international specialists in developing branding strategies, instruments and technologies.

The company has partners in 25 countries, including the United States, Europe, China, India, Latin America countries, the Middle East and Australia.

Armenia’s Economy Ministry says a correct national brand will help attract more tourists in the country within few years.

According to the ministry, 495,967 tourists visited Armenia in the first half of this year – a 17.3% year-on-year growth, and 474,989 people traveled from Armenia abroad as tourists – a 14.8% year-on-year growth.