Maria Atayan: Armenia may declare itself a country accessible for tourismDecember 15, 2009 - 17:50 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian National Tourism Office (Armenian NTO) in Russia and CIS Countries is a new NGO opened in Moscow this November. In conjunction with Fresh Advice communication agency, it launches Armenian tourism development campaign in Russia.The organization has a many optimistic plans, and the zero-based budget is no obstacle to the realization of its leading ideas, NTO Armenia Director Maria Atayan told a news conference in Yerevan. According to her, Armenia has many competitors among CIS countries (Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan etc.) but the right PR campaign may enable the country to provide the clue to the country's success in the sphere. As competitive advantages, Atayan pointed out to Armenia's climate conditions and rich ancient culture. "We will declare ourselves as a country with a middle-class oriented tourism," she said. In the initial period of its activity, NTO Armenia will offer the tariffs available at present. After attaining certain results, it will start negotiations with Government for reducing prices, particularly taxes on tickets. "NTO Armenia is launched now that tourists have got tired of Europe and feel like communicating with people they share common history with," the organization's director said. At that, she noted that the first stage of NTO Armenia's PR campaign (December 15-18) envisages Russian media representatives' press-tour to Armenia. The tour program includes visit to Tsakhadzor, Echmiadzin, Yenukavan and other tourism zones situated not far from Yerevan, as well as a horse race to the mountains. Top stories As a result of floods in Armenia’s northern Lori and Tavush provinces, 17 bridges, including five large ones, have collapsed. David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with Stephan Schütz, Executive Partner at Gerkan, Marg and Partners. The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. Partner news | International cybercrime ringleaders arrested in Armenia, Ukraine Europol, Europe's crime agency, has arrested four ringleaders of several cybercrime networks that used botnets. Armenia skips CSTO Defense Ministers meeting A meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization countries began in Almaty. Armenian, Iranian foreigh policy chief talk over the phone The Foreign Minister of Armenia once again expressed condolences to his counterpart on the death of the President of Iran. Armenia, U.S. customs authorities to boost assistance with new deal The government has approved an agreement with the U.S. government on mutual assistance between the customs authorities. |