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Armenia has recorded impressive gains over the course of the past decade as its tourism industry has begun to draw visitors from a broadening set of countries and has captured a larger share of Russian seasonal travelers. From 2010 to 2020, Armenia registered an annual tourism growth rate of nearly 15 percent, making it one of world’s fastest growing tourist destinations.   In 2020, due to COVID and regional hostilities, Armenia registered the fewest number of international tourists since 2005.  The number of travelers increased significantly in 2021 but was still below pre-COVID levels.  International tourism numbers in 2022 totaled 1.67 million visitors, in part due to large volumes of Russian travelers following the invasion of Ukraine. Armenia is expected to surpass its pre-COVID statistics in 2023. For the first half of the year, Government has reported more than one million visitors, on pace to surpass 1.9 million travelers who visited in 2019.  Armenia has relied heavily on drawing visitors from the diaspora to see family and friends, and, to a lesser extent, business travelers.  Over the greater part of a decade, there has been a significant increase in the number of arrivals in Armenia for holiday and leisure purposes.  The government’s official tourism authority, the Tourism Committee, was established in 2016.  The Tourism Committee has a policy function and has adopted a strategy for tourism promotion which highlights the different areas of tourism within Armenia including recreational, rural, spiritual, and cultural.  More focused government policy interventions have helped grow Armenia’s tourism sector, and the government is keen to increase sector jobs and revenues.

According to the World Economic Forum’s 2021 Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report, Armenia ranked 61 out of 117 countries, improving four positions over the previous 2019 report.  The report gave generally good marks to Armenia in terms of most enabling environment factors for tourism in  found shortcomings and room for improvement according to several other metrics, including infrastructure.

Limited international flight connections impede the development of the tourism industry, although connectivity is improving.  The government’s civil aviation reforms, undertaken several years ago, haveof low-cost carriers t operate flights between Armenia and major European and Middle Eastern destinations.

Tourism patterns in Armenia tend to be highly seasonal, with the late spring, summer, and early fall months seeing strong inflows of tourists.  

Leading Sub-Sectors

Armenia provides opportunities for  tourism: cultural, religious, ecological, agricultural, recreational, culinary, nature, adventure, genealogical.

The country features a variety of cultural, natural, and historical sites, six UNESCO World Heritage sites, medieval monasteries, churches, and fortresses.   hospitality companies in Armenia, including hotels, B&Bs, restaurants, transportation companies, tour operators, and travel agencies.  Armenia’s key markets for international tourists include France, Germany, Russia, Iran, and the United States.

Yerevan serves as the main gateway to Armenia for  tourists.  Armenia’s capital offers a continuously evolving restaurant, café, and wine bar scene with traditional and international fare.  Lodging options continue expand city has many museums, festivals, concerts, movie theaters,  green spaces.   culturally, historically, and religiously significant sites are located in Yerevan.

Tsaghkadzor is a ski resort town located a one-hour drive from Yerevan.  It  a significant number of international and domestic tourists, particularly in the winter.  The town is served by a Marriott property.  New ski resort projects are planned for construction in Aragatsotn and Shirak provinces. In 2023, a new mountain resort opened on the mountain slopes east of Mount Aragats, in the Aparan region of Armenia. Dilijan is another popular retreat from Yerevan, with smaller hospitality establishments.  Dilijan National Park, containing dozens of recently improved hiking trails, is nearby.

Lake Sevan, one of the largest high-altitude freshwater lakes in Eurasia, is a popular summer destination for international and domestic tourists.  It offers opportunities for outdoor diversions and recreation, as well as places of cultural and religious significance.  Vayots Dzor province is Armenia’s wine country. The region also offers cultural and religious destinations, as well as hiking trails.  Jermuk is a leading health resort noted for its mineral waters and sanatoria.   

Festivals have become increasingly prominent in Armenia as well, with various events celebrating Armenian points of national pride such as wine, barbecue, and other dishes.

A number of other initiatives have taken place with the goal of restoring and preserving notable landmarks. One notable example of this is the Tatev Revival Project, a public-private partnership between the government and a private foundation that restored a major monastery complex in Armenia’s south and organized the construction of the longest reversible cableway in the world.

Opportunities

Several Armenian regions with high-quality tourist potential still lack up-to-date accommodations, restaurants, and services.  International partners have focused recommendations on the need to develop  hotels and guesthouses up to a sufficient standard for attracting and hosting international tourists. The government has developed investment master plans around strategic corridors.  Of particular interest may be the scenic but underdeveloped southern regions of Syunik and Vayots Dzor, as well as Gyumri and Dilijan, in Armenia’s north.

International partners, including the World Bank and United Nations Development Program, have invested in supporting the development of Armenia’s tourism sector through market analyses.  Various studies have examined infrastructure investment, skills development, product development, investment potential, and access to human capital as key considerations in selecting possible sites for tourism development and the creation of tourism corridors or circuits.

There are continuing opportunities for investment and commercial expansion in  to support the steady increase of tourists.  Well-known U.S. franchises, particularly restaurants, are in demand in and the sector is showing signs of growth.  ajor U.S. hotel chains have entered Armenia or expanded their operations in the Armenian market.

Ministry of Economy Armenia Official Tourist WebsiteArmenian National Interests Fund (ANIF)Enterprise Armenia Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia World Travel & Tourism CouncilAmerican Chamber of Commerce in Armenia Spyur Information System

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Armenia's Tourism Sector: Strong Growth, Revived Destinations, and Promising Future

Section 1: remarkable surge in tourism in 2023.

Section 2: Reviving Tourism Destinations

Section 3: Growth Potential and Future Prospects

“Armenia, The Hidden Track” – the Tourism Committee launches Armenia’s new destination brand

May 20, 2022, Yerevan, Armenia - The Tourism Committee of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia launched the new brand for Armenia as a tourism hotspot on an international level. The new brand embodies Armenia’s ancient heritage, pristine nature and rugged landscapes, combined with an overwhelming hospitality and rich culinary scene all accessible at an affordable price. The brand’s new tagline “Armenia, The Hidden Track” and rich visual identity highlight Armenia’s distinctive character as an undiscovered gem with a positive vibe, providing tourists with authentic experiences off the beaten path.

“It is very important for any brand, especially a destination brand, to have a clear  positioning that reflects its unique value proposition. We wanted a fresh and dynamic brand that would appeal to the international audience and AHA collective has delivered just that, ” noted Vahan Kerobyan, Minister of Economy at the Republic of Armenia.  

“Armenia possesses remarkable tourism potential in its unique but largely unknown and unexplored cultural and natural resources, as well as experiences in gastro and adventure tourism. The purpose of the project was to define and create the branding and visual identity elements for Armenia as an attractive travel destination and amplify Armenia’s market position as a tourist destination among international target audiences,” said Sisian Boghossian, Head of the Tourism Committee.

The new destination brand of Armenia was created in collaboration with the Yerevan-based creative studio AHA collective within the frames of the EU4Business “Innovative Tourism and Technology Development for Armenia (ITTD)’’ project supported by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Following an iterative user-engagement research process based on two vectorial lenses - country perception and country experience, key insights were captured about how the target audience perceives and lives the Armenian experience. In partnership with the Tourism Committee of Armenia, AHA collective’s team developed a unique brand translating the country’s competitive assets into a competitive identity, making Armenia a distinctive and authentic destination brand from all others.

The brand encompasses Armenia’s DNA, truly embracing actual perceptions and experiences of both visitors and residents. Armenia is distinctively perceived and experienced as a magnetic and generous country: one that is a historical and cultural hidden gem, that offers boundless warmth and hospitality, that generates surprising emotions and an authentic feeling of belongingness.

“We are happy to support Armenia on its way to establishing itself on the international tourism market! Indeed, there is a lot yet to discover in this wonderful country and we are looking forward to hear of many new achievements of Tourism Committee of Armenia under this new beautiful brand identity” noted Antonis Tsamoulis, Cooperation officer at the EU Delegation to Armenia.

The tagline “The Hidden Track” expresses both the primary meaning of the unveiled, a road yet to be discovered, and also suggests an exploration of its secondary meaning in the musical field. This refers to the surprise track that used to be at the end of CDs and audio cassettes in such a way that it is unlisted and unknown before the listener heard the entire record - a surprise piece completing the listener’s experience. This expression rightfully refers to the emotion of amazement and surprise tourists feel while visiting Armenia.

“One of the main goals of our project is to secure the long term sustainable development of tourism sector and in this regard we are happy to support Armenia not only in private sector but also on the institutional level. I congratulate Tourism Committee on their new brand identity, and I'm looking forward to see this beautiful logo representing Armenia on different expos and events worldwide.” said Wilhelm Hugo, Team Leader of the EU4Business “Innovative Tourism and Technology Development for Armenia” Project

Armenia’s rooted history and culture offers multi-layered explorations for visitors of all ages. The country’s contemporary scene is rich with gastro and adventure, and its experiential trails engage visitors in a friendly, bold, and passionate journey. The brand follows this tone of voice through its visual elements.

“The brand is designed as an organic and ever-evolving framework. Defined as an immersive sound wave environment echoing the mountainous landscapes of Armenia, the visual identity entails the entire design elements as a built-in soundscape. The modular design system is conceived on structured yet flexible core elements, amongst which are the wordmark, the custom-made typography from which bursts an inclusive illustrative system, the warm and vivid color palette. The versatility of the visual system offers boundless creativity across applications and allows the identity to mature along with time to always be different, fresh, and unique. Designed with such an approach, the brand engages the beholder in an immersive and dynamic visual quest towards one’s discovery of Armenia” explained Nairi Khatchadourian, Director of AHA collective. 

The brand launch peak was the reveal of a unique manifest designed in motion as a letter addressed by Armenia to the world for travelers to visit the country. The manifest connects  the audience with the brand through its tone of voice and visual elements, emphasizing the brand’s vision to “Make Armenia a constant discovery”. 

During the launch, an interactive digital installation created by Efekt Video Maker by Picsart allowed the audience to immerse themselves in the brand’s visual identity.

For media inquiries, please contact Gayane Ayvazyan, PR Expert of the Tourism Committee of Armenia, [email protected], cell phone: 093179023

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The brand was developed with the financial support of the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) within the frames of the EU4Business “Innovative Tourism and Technology Development for Armenia (ITTD)’’ project. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Tourism Committee of the Ministry of Economy of The Republic of Armenia and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union and BMZ.

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UN Tourism | Bringing the world closer

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UN Tourism Global Conference on Wine Tourism Heads to Armenia to Focus on Cultural Heritage

• All Regions, Europe
• 19 Aug 2024

The UN Tourism Global Conference on Wine Tourism is set to return to focus on traditions and cultural heritage. The eighth edition of the Conference, co-hosted by the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, will be held in Yerevan (11-13 September 2024).

This year's conference will focus on the theme "Heritage in Every Bottle: Crafting Authentic Wine Tourism Experiences," highlighting the importance of developing strategies that both preserve cultural traditions and benefit local communities. A key focus will be on reviving traditions in the evolving landscape of wine tourism, balancing modernization with cultural heritage.

UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili says: "Wine tourism continues to grow, both in popularity with tourists and as a pillar of rural growth and protector of cultural heritage. The Global Conference on Wine Tourism will once again bring together the most exciting leaders of the sector, and I look forward to welcoming them all to Yerevan, Armenia."

The Global Conference on Wine Tourism will once again bring together the most exciting leaders of the sector, and I look forward to welcoming them all to Yerevan, Armenia

"Armenia is honored to host the 8th UN Tourism Global Conference on Wine Tourism," stated Susanna Hakobyan, Acting Head of the Tourism Committee of the Republic of Armenia. "With our millennia-old winemaking tradition and rich cultural heritage, Armenia is uniquely positioned to showcase its innovative practices and exceptional wine culture. This conference offers a unique platform for collaboration, learning, and advancing the global discourse on wine tourism."

Iconic wine regions and top experts represented

The conference will showcase successful initiatives and provide a platform for exchanging expertise and developing innovative projects. Representatives from iconic wine regions, including the Strada del Barolo (Italy); Bourgogne (France), and Mendoza (Argentina), will present examples of best practices. Iter Vitis - Cultural Route of the Council of Europe, will also share insights from a network perspective.

Participants will explore strategies for attracting and engaging visitors, as well as fostering coordinated efforts among stakeholders to effectively promote wine routes and experiences and maximize their positive impact on local economies and communities.

The conference will feature prominent industry leaders, such Catena Zapata, named World's Best Winery for 2023. Attendees will be able to attend masterclasses at renowned Armenian wineries, such as the historic Areni-1 cave, the oldest known winery in the world. Topics will range from the application of e-commerce strategies in wine tourism to the integration of technology in sustainable wine tourism.

Discussions will also focus on developing effective communication strategies to reach a global audience. Digitalization expert Jochen Heussner (Italy) will engage in discussions with renowned wine tourism specialists, including Alder Yarrow, an acclaimed wine writer (USA), Paul Wagner, from the Culinary Institute of America and Napa Valley College (USA), and Gergely Szolnoki, a Professor of Market Research at Geisenheim University (Germany).

Related links

• Download the News Release in PDF
• 8th UN Tourism Global Conference on Wine Tourism: Event Website

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Performance report 2022 of the Tourism Committee presented to the Prime Minister

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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan today visited the Tourism Committee of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, where he got acquainted with the performance report 2022 of the department.

Deputy Prime Ministers Mher Grigoryan and Tigran Khachatryan, Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan, Head of the State Supervision Service Romanos Petrosyan, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister Bagrat Badalyan, Deputy Minister of Finance Vahan Sirunyan, Chairman of the Tourism Committee Sisian Boghossian, the leadership of the Committee, other officials participated in the consultation.

The main result indicators of the implemented programs, as well as current and upcoming programs were reported to the Prime Minister. In particular, the works carried out in the direction of the branding of Armenia's tourism strategy, the development of domestic and inbound tourism, cooperation with other countries, regional and international organizations, improving the quality of tourist services, and the "Local Economy and Infrastructure Development Program" of the World Bank were presented. It was noted that as a result of the activities carried out in the direction of the branding of Armenia's tourism strategy, a new unified tourist brand was developed with the slogan "Armenia, The Hidden Track" (with 4 tourist destinations: cultural, indigenous, adventure and gastro), as a result of which Armenia is posed as an attractive and interesting tourist destination. In the sidelines of the measures implemented in the direction of the development of domestic tourism, an electronic system for the coordination of services by the state within the framework of the social package was introduced and a 30% annual increase in domestic tourism was recorded.

In the direction of the development of inbound tourism, 3 festivals were held in the regions of Armenia, which attracted about 45,000 visitors, 4 international tourist exhibitions with the participation of 30 organizations, familiarization trips to Armenia were carried out with the participation of about 20 tour operators, 10 media representatives and TV companies, 7 articles were printed in famous travel periodicals. The official website www.armenia.travel was launched. In order to promote cooperation with foreign states, regional and international organizations, the 67th regional session of the UNWTO Commission for Europe was held, which was attended by 90 participants from about 40 countries.

As a result of the measures aimed at the improvement the quality of tourist services, training courses were held for hospitality workers and adventure tourism service providers. In the sidelines of the World Bank's "Local Economy and Infrastructure Development Program", the Garni-Lanjazat road was restored, the 600-meter road from the "Symphony of Stones" natural monument to the Khosrov Forest State Reserve was restored, the Areni development concept was developed, and the Goris community heritage center was restored, the right bank of the Vararak River in Goris was restored, the monuments of Dvin were restored and improved. As a result, the infrastructure has been improved resulting in increased touristic visits.

Within the framework of current and upcoming programs, it was reported that the collection and digitization of tourist data, measures aimed at the development of inbound tourism are being carried out.

According to the report, in 2022, the number of tourists visiting Armenia was about 1.67 million, while in 2021 it was 870,000, the increase was 92 percent. Annual growth in domestic tourism was 20 percent, to 1,696,052 in 2022 and 1,430,503 in 2021.

Presenting the goals for the period until 2026, it was noted that 2.5 million tourists are expected to visit annually, development of 20 tourism clusters, restoration of 50 historical and cultural objects.

Reference was made to the legislative reforms planned in the sector, the implementation of control mechanisms of the sector and the development of the strategy. Works are being carried out in the direction of restoration of 50 historical and cultural objects, development of new tourist routes.

Prime Minister Pashinyan highlighted the programs aimed at the development of both inbound and outbound tourism and emphasized that in restoration works priority should be given to historical and cultural objects with great tourist potential and in dire need of restoration. Nikol Pashinyan added that it is necessary to offer appropriate services to different tourist segments in different directions. "It is necessary to target domestic tourism and encourage tour operators to actively work in this direction as well," said the Prime Minister.

In this regard, it was informed that an exhibition aimed at the development of domestic tourism will be held in May.

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The Persistent Challenges of Armenia’s Tourism Sector

The global tourism industry is being revived as COVID-19 pandemic restrictions ease. After a three-year break, Armenia is ready to once again show off its hospitality and share its culture and landscapes with people from all over the world. Already in 2021, the country opened for tourism, lifting travel bans on its land borders with Georgia and Iran, as well as opening its airspace for international flights. In 2022, before the tourism season, the government abolished its pandemic-related restrictions. Sure enough, the number of tourists has exceeded the amount compared to the past two years. In the first quarter of 2022, over 240,000 [1] tourists visited Armenia––2.9 times more than in the same period last year [in 2019, before the pandemic and the 2020 Artsakh War, over 364,000 tourists had visited Armenia]. The cafes in Yerevan are buzzing with visitors and tourists can again be spotted in Yerevan and in tourist destinations outside the capital. Once again, the Armenian government is trying to find ways to develop tourism in Armenia and attract more tourists, despite the persistent infrastructure, economic, and security challenges. 

The tourism industry is an important contributor to Armenia’s GDP. In 2019, the best year for tourism in Armenia to date, the industry comprised nearly 12 percent of Armenia’s GDP. The newly appointed head of Armenia’s Tourism Committee, Sisian Boghossian, is hopeful that Armenia will have recovered its tourism potential by 2024 .

The New Tourism Development Model

In May 2022, the Tourism Committee launched a new campaign called Armenia, the Hidden Track . According to Anahit Voskanyan, Tour Product Development Advisor for the body, the new campaign focuses on four main elements – culture, nature, adventure, and gastronomy and wine, to show tourists all the unique experiences they can have in Armenia. To bring about development of the tourism sector with the new branding, the government envisions the creation of something known as Destination Management Organizations (DMO). 

“Twenty years ago there was no need for such structures, but as the sector is growing, it becomes more difficult to manage it from one center,” explains Voskanyan, adding that by creating local structures and equipping them with expertise, Armenia will have a better-developed tourism sector.

According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, DMO s are local organizations that should lead and coordinate local tourism under a coherent strategy to pursue a common goal. According to Hovhannes Kandiljyan , advisor to the Tourism Component of the EU for Business Tourism project for Armenia, a DMO is a coordinating body that brings together all stakeholders of the tourism sector in a certain geographical region, providing a platform that facilitates cooperation between organizations from the private and public sectors as well as from academia and civil society.

The DMOs will comprise branches of the state-run Tourism Committee, operating in all regions so that the development of tourism across the country is conducted in a coordinated manner. 

Infrastructure Challenges  

According to a tourism development concept paper published by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in cooperation with the Armenian government in 2020, Armenia currently lacks the necessary infrastructure to cater to more and higher-value tourists. The paper underscores that tourism-related infrastructure, such as highways, roads leading to tourism attractions, rest stops with sanitation facilities, affordable hotels, high-end hotels, and B&Bs and guest houses need to be developed to ensure sustainable tourism growth. Infrastructure is crucial to this growth and competitiveness and failure to address these challenges may hurt the tourism industry. If Armenia wants a competitive advantage over other destinations or at least be able to compete, it must develop tourism infrastructure. 

Anahit Voskanyan notes that an area that attracts investment are hotels; according to her, tourism develops in regions where there are sufficient accommodation options. Infrastructure tends to develop around hotels. She says that there are significant investments in hotels in Armenia now, adding that the government directs investments towards areas as needed. For example, Armenia does not have much to offer when it comes to 3-4 star hotels to service the middle class. “Our aim is to create accommodation options for all consumer budgets so that prices are affordable for anyone,” says Voskanyan. 

Although the government is trying to direct investment towards creating more 3-4 star hotels, the construction of hotels takes place mainly in Yerevan and key resort towns like Tsaghkadzor and Jermuk. In other parts of the country, main accommodation options around popular tourist sites are mainly B&Bs, guest houses, and, less often, hostels. However, due to various risks, such as lack of local human resources and infrastructure challenges which require long-term solutions, the government is not directing investments to the development of smaller accommodation providers, leaving that to international development organizations such USAID, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and EU initiatives. [2] 

Annie Carapetian, who established Envoy Hostel in 2005, the first hostel in the South Caucasus, and Envoy Tours with her husband in 2009, says that the standard of service in the hostel business is an issue in Armenia. Many Armenians do not understand the concept of a hostel, says Carapetian, adding that most hostels in Armenia would be more appropriately described as “homestays”. She also points out the lack of government regulation on what a hostel is, leading to many sub-standard and cheap options, ultimately jeopardizing the experience of tourists and tainting their perception of Armenia as a tourist destination. The same principle applies to tours. Many tour operators run tours, competing only on cost, and often competing against individual drivers running cheap, low-quality tours. This often leads to underwhelming tour experiences for visitors.

Ara Petrosyan, an independent tour guide, with over ten years’ experience, says that there is an issue of lack of service in the regions. One problem he highlights is trying to get breakfast before 9 o’clock in the morning. In the summer, the main tourism season in Armenia, tourists want to be on the road before 9 to avoid the heat. “It is not possible to get breakfast two hours after sunrise,” Petrosyan says. 

One of the most difficult challenges that the travel and tourism industry faces and that everyone in the business is in consensus about is transport and communication links in the regions. Developed transport and communication infrastructure encourages more tourism. In Armenia road conditions and transportation links between different towns and tourist attractions are still a big problem. While road construction and repair have significantly increased, the process requires time and many sites remain difficult to reach. Anahit Voskanyan says that road infrastructure in the communities is being developed in cooperation with the Armenian government and the World Bank. Roads leading to the most popular destinations in Armenia are the priority at the moment. 

The issue regarding transportation links is more difficult to tackle. 

Simone Lehmkuehler from Germany nearly ended up in Artsakh when trying to reach Goris from Yeghegnadzor, a popular tourist town in Armenia’s Vayots Dzor region. Before the 2020 Artsakh War, many tourists visiting Armenia also traveled to Artsakh, where they obtained a visa upon arrival at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After the war, if foreigners want to enter Artsakh, they have to notify the Russian peacekeepers stationed there  in advance. 

Lehmkuehler describes her ride from Yeghegnadzor to Goris as an adventure. She had decided to walk to the bus station in Yeghegnadzor, a 20-minute walk from where she was staying, but when a local car stopped and offered her a ride, she accepted the offer. But instead of getting to the bus station in Yeghegnadzor, she ended up in Vayk, a small town 15 kilometers away, on the Yeghegnadzor-Goris highway. She says this was no issue, as Vayk was on her way to Goris anyway, however, finding the bus to Goris in Vayk was a real challenge. 

“It was really funny, there was a square in the middle of Vayk, and many people came to me, no one speaking English and I always said ‘marshrutka Goris,’” she recalls, adding that despite the language barrier some locals did make phone calls for her, and after a long time, a bus arrived. “Those helpful people” spoke to the driver and in the end, she got on the bus. Once seated, Simone met an English-speaking family and it was through them that she found out the bus was headed to Artsakh and she was told that she needed to get off halfway on the road near Goris.  

Voskanyan, says that at the Tourism Committee they are well aware of the issues regarding transport links between different parts of Armenia. 

“We think about transportation connections a lot,” she says. “I myself tried to travel with public transport. You waste a whole day on a trip that should have taken three hours.” According to Voskanyan, this happens because there are no fixed schedules, there is no reliable public transport information which is readily available, and some of the bus stations don’t even have phones to be contacted for information. This is an area where the Tourism Committee must cooperate with the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure. Voskanyan says that the Committee applied to the ministry to receive information about schedules from state-run bus stations, but they were informed that the information is being updated. There are no fixed schedules and at the moment routes and departure times are not well organized. “These are issues which are not within our scope,” says Vosaknyan, adding that when they receive information regarding public transport routes and schedules they will publicize them. 

As of now, so-called “shared taxis” mitigate the situation somewhat. These are privately owned companies or individuals that organize transfers between different towns, often charging the same amount or a little more than a public bus; the car is smaller, often more comfortable than a bus, travels faster and they run a few times per day. However, information about this kind of transport is not widely available. Although there is some information in different guidebooks, they are updated only every few years and information becomes quickly outdated. Several local hostels, like Envoy, run their own information database to stay on top of updates, sharing them with their customers and whoever asks. 

Voskanyan says that DMOs will address this issue as well, collecting information about public buses on the local level. But it requires time––the research will take six months, after which the DMO model will be ready and they will be established in the regions one year after that. “In the best case scenario, starting in 2024 we will have reliable structures on the local level, which will try to raise issues and find and update information locally,” she says. 

Funding is crucial to address infrastructure issues but is also lacking. The Tourism Committee alone cannot solve all the problems, as it has a small team and a very small budget. The infrastructure issues tourism faces in Armenia are problems that the whole country faces––bad roads and the absence of quality public transport. 

Ara Petrosyan also mentions the lack of toilets, parking spaces, proper souvenir stands, and eating places around many sites. Annie Carapetian says customer service is an obstacle to improving the quality of what tourism offers in Armenia. According to her, better education to upskill and improve professionalism in the regions is especially necessary. 

“Tourism can be a lifeline for a lot of communities across Armenia. However, it requires adequate support from both government and the private sector to realize this,” Carapetian says. Her company arranges lunch during their tours with local families to support the local communities. 

With nearly 17 years in the tourism industry and operating a hostel and tour companies both in Armenia and Georgia, Annie Carapetian believes that a coordinated, government-led effort is required to consistently promote Armenia as an ideal and safe travel destination, which can be done through proper market segmentation and targeted efforts through various social media platforms, as well as training and seminars for travel professionals and travel bloggers.

It is evident that most of the issues that the tourism industry faces in Armenia today are linked to the overall challenges that the country faces. A prosperous, developed and safe Armenia will create the necessary environment for tourism to flourish as well. 

[1] The period coincided with the influx of Russians into Armenia due to the Russo-Ukrainian war, however, according to Armenia’s Statistics Service, this is the number of people who came to Armenia primarily for tourism. [2] These organizations carry out various projects aimed at developing tourism on the local level, including training people to run Bed and Breakfasts/small guest houses. 

References:

Nguyen, Quang Hai. 2021. “Impact of Investment in Tourism Infrastructure Development on Attracting International Visitors: A Nonlinear Panel ARDL Approach Using Vietnam’s Data” Economies 9.

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UN Tourism to Hold 8th Global Conference on Wine Tourism in September

Photo source: UN Tourism

The UN Tourism Global Conference on Wine Tourism will return in September to focus on traditions and cultural heritage.

The eighth edition of the conference, co-hosted by the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, will be held during September 11-13 in Yerevan .

“Wine tourism continues to grow, both in popularity with tourists and as a pillar of rural growth and protector of cultural heritage,” UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said.

This year’s conference will focus on the theme “Heritage in Every Bottle: Crafting Authentic Wine Tourism Experiences”, highlighting the importance of developing strategies that both preserve cultural traditions and benefit local communities. A key focus will be on reviving traditions in the evolving landscape of wine tourism, balancing modernization with cultural heritage.

“The Global Conference on Wine Tourism will once again bring together the most exciting leaders of the sector, and I look forward to welcoming them all to Yerevan, Armenia,” Pololikashvili added.

Iconic wine regions and top experts represented

The conference will showcase successful initiatives and provide a platform for exchanging expertise and developing innovative projects. Representatives from iconic wine regions, including the Strada del Barolo (Italy); Bourgogne (France), and Mendoza (Argentina), will present examples of best practices . Iter Vitis – Cultural Route of the Council of Europe , will also share insights from a network perspective.

Participants will explore strategies for attracting and engaging visitors, as well as fostering coordinated efforts among stakeholders to effectively promote wine routes and experiences and maximize their positive impact on local economies and communities.

The conference will feature prominent industry leaders , such Catena Zapata , named World’s Best Winery for 2023. Attendees will be able to attend masterclasses at renowned Armenian wineries, such as the historic Areni-1 cave , the oldest known winery in the world. Topics will range from the application of e-commerce strategies in wine tourism to the integration of technology in sustainable wine tourism.

Discussions will also focus on developing effective communication strategies to reach a global audience. Digitalization expert Jochen Heussner (Italy) will engage in discussions with renowned wine tourism specialists, including Alder Yarrow , an acclaimed wine writer (USA); Paul Wagner , from the Culinary Institute of America and Napa Valley College (USA); and Gergely Szolnoki , a Professor of Market Research at Geisenheim University (Germany).

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A regular meeting of the subsidy application evaluation committee was held

On August 19, under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khachatryan, the regular meeting of the interdepartmental commission for the evaluation of subsidy applications for 2024 aimed at the development of the economic and social infrastructures of Armenian communities, in addition to the subsidies provided by the state annual budgets, was held. During the session, 40 program... more »

Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khachatryan participates in the event dedicated to Builder's Day

Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khachatryan participated in the event organized on the occasion of Builder's Day today. He congratulated the builders on the occasion of the professional holiday, wishing them fruitful work. "With its current Action Plan, the government has undertaken the obligation to implement urban development projects of an unprecedented scale throughout the... more »

The refund for non-cash payments to pensioners will be 12% instead of 10%, and the maximum amount of refund will rise from 5000 AMD to 6000 AMD

The regular Cabinet meeting took place today, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan. The Government made a decision by which changes will be made in the decision N 2346-A of the Government of the Republic of Armenia of December 28, 2023 "On the implementation of the public-private partnership project for the provision of biometric passports and identification cards in... more »

The Government approves the support program for the operators providing the slaughterhouse service

The regular Cabinet meeting took place today, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khachatryan. The Government approved the support program for the operators providing the slaughterhouse service. As a result of the adoption of the decision, slaughterhouse slaughter will be promoted, slaughterhouses will be established as logistics centers, equal competitive conditions will be... more »

The meeting of the "Open Government Partnership" initiative was held with the participation of the state system bodies

Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister, Arayik Harutyunyan, chaired the session of the "Open Government Partnership" (OGP) initiative with the participation of state system bodies. The representatives of the state bodies presented the process of fulfilling the commitments defined by the OGP action plan 2022-2024. Commitments on data policy, strategic communication,... more »

Arayik Harutyunyan gets acquainted with the progress of construction of "Park of Life"

Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister Arayik Harutyunyan visited the Yerevan Botanical Garden and got acquainted with the progress of construction of the "Park of Life". The Chief of Staff was accompanied by Yerevan Deputy Mayor Levon Hovhannisyan, Chairman of the Urban Planning Committee Yeghiazar Vardanyan, and other officials. The works carried out so far were... more »

Arayik Harutyunyan attends the opening of the Armenian House in Paris

Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister Arayik Harutyunyan attended the opening of the Armenian House in Paris together with the President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturian and met with the members of the Armenian Olympic team. In his speech, Arayik Harutyunyan wished success to all our athletes and expressed belief that they will invest all their efforts in keeping the sports honor of... more »

The Government approves the monitoring program for the presence of residual substances and genetically modified organisms in food of plant origin

The regular Cabinet meeting took place today, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khachatryan. According to the agreement reached between the "Simonyan" educational foundation and the head of the Armavir community, it is planned to create a Tumo center in the Armavir community within the framework of the "Tumo Centers of Creative Technologies" charity program,... more »

Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khachatryan chairs the regular session of the SME Development Council

Under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khachatryan, today, July 24, the regular meeting of the Small and Medium Business Development Council of the Republic of Armenia took place. Before discussing the issues on the agenda, a brief reference was made to the implementation of the decisions made during the previous sessions, the Deputy Prime Minister gave appropriate... more »

Arayik Harutyunyan receives Jérôme Leyraud, IFES Country Director for Armenia

 Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister Arayik Harutyunyan received Jérôme Leyraud, IFES (International Foundation for Electoral Systems) Country Director for Armenia. Issues related to reforms of electoral processes, financial transparency of parties, capacity development of structures specializing in cyber security, civic education were discussed. At the end... more »

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Mount Ararat

Mountain Eagles

Zorats Karer / Karahunj (7600-4500 BC)

Ughtasar Petroglyphs (12,000 BC)

Khachkar (Cross-Stone)

Zvartnots Temple (641—661 AD)

Armenia is well-known as an ancient country. But few are aware of what range of breathtaking landscape, innumerous historical monuments and cultural heritage this sunny, beautiful and hospitable country has. You can choose the journey of your own from numerous general and specialized tours - discovery, cultural, mountain hiking, birdwatching, off-road, and many other. Make a wish - and it will be our privilege to help you to discover the beauty of our country. Make your choice and enjoy the magnificence of Armenia.

Discovery Tours

Birdwatching tours, off-road tours, joint tours, yerevan to mark its 2801st anniversary october.

Armenia has a reputation for greeting its visitors with warmth and hospitality. Nowhere is this truer than in Yerevan, one of the most ancient cities in the world, celebrating its 2801st anniversary in October ... , 2019. The capital of Armenia has all the advantages of a modern capital city and boasts numerous historical attractions, together with a friendly atmosphere, which makes visitors feel at home. The city itself is one of the main tourist attractions in Armenia.

Pre-historic and early Christian monuments

Through all the centuries, Armenia has managed to preserve a wealth of today's evidence of the evolution of humankind. There are innumerable historical monuments in Armenia. 40,000 are available for ... visiting and are waiting for an admiring traveller. Most of them are churches. However, only some 4,000 are readily accessible and commonly visited because of the difficulty of reaching the rest. Normally they are open round-the-clock without any admission charge.

Cross-Stone - Khachkar

Cross-stone (khachkar) is virtually the most famous design of Medieval Armenian culture. Finally shaped during X-XI AD, they are the synthesis of traditional art, philosophical and spiritual apprehension. The idea and main symbols represented on accompanied ... Armenian tribes and people since their origin over three millennia earlier. The central subject "the radiant Light, the Cross of Christ" is endowed with incredible diversity of meanings - initially being the sign of sun and invigorating fire, it also included the shape of Tree of Life.

5,500 years old leather shoe is oldest ever discovered

An international team of archaeologists has discovered the world's oldest leather shoe. One thousand years older than the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, the 5,500-year-old shoe was perfectly preserved by the cool ... , dry conditions in the sheep dung-lined cave in Armenia where it was found. More by NationalGeographic.com

6,000 years old wine press found in Armenian Cave

Archeologists have unearthed the oldest wine-making facility ever found, using biochemical techniques to identify a dry red vintage made about 6,000 years ago in what is now southern Armenia. The excavation paints a picture of a ... complex society where mourners tasted a special vintage made at a cave side cemetery, the researchers reported on Tuesday in the Journal of Archaeological Science. More by ArchaeologyNewsNetwork.com

Wine & Brandy tasting

Tours of the wineries and tasting of wine and cognac are very popular in Armenia. Excavation results prove, that first wine grape was cultivated on Armenian Highland thousands of years ago and today the descendants of ancient clans try to retain that heritage. Armenia produces an ... unchallenged quality brandy (cognac). Armenian cognacs of numerous special brands are aged in oak barrels for 3 to 50 years and are from 40 to 57% proof. The unique flavour and smooth quality of Armenian cognac and wine is something you must sample for yourself while you are in the country.

Armenian Cuisine

Armenian cuisine is noted for its pleasing aroma, as a result of the expert mix of spices employed. Armenians use also many unusual herbs and greens in their cooking. The most exotic are collected at alpine meadows and combined in the most unexpected way. The ... taste will challenge even the most refined expert. Many of Armenian specialities are barbecued. You can taste traditional shish-kebab almost everywhere. The standard bread of the country, called lavash, is renowned for its quality. It is only about the thickness of one or two sheets of newspaper and the best is like a parchment Armenians like to eat lavash with local cheese or shish-kebab and fresh uncooked greens, using it for wrapping the food as a sort of sandwich. Ask an Armenian how lavash is made or visit any village to see it yourself. You'll be surprised and impressed.

Armenia is famous for its fruits, some of which are recognised as superior to the same fruits cultivated in other countries at such latitudes. Grapes of some 40 kinds grow on the territory of Armenia, mainly on the Ararat valley. Peaches and apples, pears and ... cherries, pomegranates and figs are delicious. Apricot grows in Armenia from time immemorial. It has an incomparable taste and is considered the queen of Armenian fruits. You can taste it yourself.

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Tourism in Armenia: The numbers are growing but there is no boom

2019-ին 1,9 միլիոն տուրիստ է այցելել Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն. Տիգրան Ավինյան

Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan said in an interview with RFE/RL on February 3 that there was a significant growth in the tourism sector in 2019.

“The number of visitors has increased by about 15%. If I am not mistaken, according to very rough estimates, 1.9 million tourists visited the Republic of Armenia” Avinyan said, adding that this figure can be considered a record.

The Fact Investigation Platform decided to check the Deputy Prime Minister’s assertions, as well as study tourism statistics and its impact on the Armenian economy.

Tourism statistics in Armenia

The RA Statistical Committee runs statistics on tourism according to the methodology of the UN World Tourism Organization (WTO). According to the methodology, an international tourist is anyone who travels for leisure, medical treatment, visiting relatives, business, religious or other purposes for a period of no less than 24 hours and no more than one year in a row.

Thus, according to statistics published by the Statistical Committee on February 5, 2020, the number of tourists arriving in Armenia has increased by about 1 million 300 thousand over the ten years from 2009-2019. In 2009, about 587 thousand tourists came to Armenia, and in 2019, the number of tourists reached 1.9 million.

By the way, since 2006 there has been a steady increase in the number of tourists in Armenia. The exception was 2015, when the number of tourists in Armenia declined by 11,000 compared to 2014.

In 2016, the flow of tourists increased again. That year, 1 million 260 thousand tourists came to Armenia, about 67 thousand more than in 2015.

And in 2017, about 1.5 million tourists visited Armenia – 18.7% more than in 2016. This is the largest increase since 2006.

In 2018, the number of tourists reached 1 million 652 thousand, increasing by 11% compared to the previous year.

As for 2019, the data provided by Tigran Avinyan are correct: 1.9 million tourists came to Armenia last year, which is 14.7 percent more than in 2018.

However, considering it a record number is an exaggerated evaluation.

Countries Armenia is popular with

Armenia is most often selected as a tourist destination by citizens of Russia, Georgia and Iran. According to the Migration Service, most of the tourists who visited Armenia in 2019 (610.695) are Russian citizens.

They provided for most of the tourist arrivals to Armenia in other years as well. Next are Iranians (115.000), then Georgia (about 95.000). Last year 52.000 tourists came to Armenia from the United States.

According to the Ministry of Economy , about 31 percent of tourists arriving in Armenia are Diaspora Armenians, and 69 percent are foreigners. Nearly half of the tourists in Armenia are attracted to cultural tourism, 19% come to see the nature of Armenia, 16% come for leisure. Business, adventure and health tourism are preferred by 13 percent, and 3 percent come to Armenia for long-term tourism.

More details about foreigners arriving in Armenia are shown on the map:

Armenia – an attractive tourist destination

Armenia appeared in international indexes and pages of influential news outlets as an attractive tourist destination especially in 2019.

In 2019, Armenia improved its ranking by 10 points in the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index compared to 2018. This index measures the opportunities and policies for sustainable tourism development, which in its turn contributes to the country’s competitiveness. In 2019, Armenia ranked 79th among 140 countries (in 2018 it ranked 89 th ).

According to the same index, Armenia ranks 103rd in terms of cultural and natural resources, while it ranks 30th in the price competitiveness index. Armenia, Oman, Georgia, Uganda, Poland, and other countries are competitively priced. Armenia shares its price competitiveness score with Oman, Georgia, Uganda, Poland and others. For comparison, it is worth noting that the leader in the list is the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the most “expensive” one is the United Kingdom. By the way, in the 2018 report , Armenia ranked 42nd in terms of price competitiveness. This means that Armenia has become more affordable for tourists compared to other countries, or, in contrast to other countries, inflation rates in Armenia have been lower.

Armenia ranks 40th among 140 countries in terms of safety and security. Azerbaijan ranks 38th and Finland is the safest country.

The impact of tourism on the economy

Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy. In 2018, the sector invested $8.8 trillion in the global economy. It provided 10.4 percent of the GDP. Tourism investment in the GDP of Armenia in 2018 was 14.1%, amounting to about $ 1.8 billion.

Tourism is a priority sector of the Armenian economy, and it is no accident that the development of the sector is always highlighted by the government.

According to the Ministry of Economy’s Tourism Development Strategy 2020-2030, 12.5% of Armenia’s labor market is employed in the sector. As of 2018, about 37,000 people are permanently employed and another 137,000 are generally employed in the sector.

As of 2018, Armenia has more than 600 hotels (in 2017 the number of hotels was 556).

Within the framework of the tourism development program, the state budget will allocate 200 million AMD from the state budget in 2020, and 286.4 million AMD were allocated last year. This year, with the support of the World Bank, the country is planning to direct around 4.8 billion AMD in loans and 1.2 billion AMD in co-financing for the development of regional facilities and attracting more tourists.

For comparison, neighboring Georgia had about 5 million tourists last year, up by 6 percent compared to 2018 (about 4.7 million). And in 2017, the number of tourists visiting Georgia was 4 million.

Thus, we can state that the number of tourists visiting Armenia is increasing year by year. Considering the number registered in 2019 a record is wrong, as the number of tourists has not risen sharply, and the growth is normal compared with numbers registered in previous years.

Ani Avetisyan

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2.2 million tourists have visited Armenia in 2023

The number of tourists visiting Armenia increased in November, the Tourism Committee informs.

Armenia welcomed 150 thousand tourists in November 2023, the best results compared to previous years (the number of tourists reached 145 thousand in 2022 and 140 thousand in 2019).

This brings the total number of tourist visits to Armenia to 2.2 million so far in 2023.

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Tourism Committee of Armenia

SisIan Boghossian, President

Mher Mkrtchyan 5

0019 Yerevan

+37411597155

[email protected]

www.mineconomy.am/page/89

The State Tourism Committee is a State agency affiliated to the Ministry of Economic Development and Investment of the Republic of Armenia.

STATE TOURISM COMMITTEE OF ARMENIA

• / STATE TOURISM COMMITTEE OF /

The State Tourism Committee , operating under the Ministry of Economic Development and Investment of the Republic of Armenia, serves as a pivotal state agency dedicated to the development and execution of the government’s tourism policies. Throughout the year, the Committee spearheads a myriad of projects aimed at bolstering the nation’s tourism sector. For a glimpse into our volunteers’ personal experiences, check out the following blog posts: Blog 1 , Blog 2 .

Typical Volunteer Tasks : Volunteers with diverse skill sets, including content writers, project managers, tourism specialists, and marketing experts, can significantly contribute to their initiatives and projects. In addition, volunteers may conduct research on festivals and major tourism events worldwide to help with event organization and management, assist with office work and digital marketing efforts, and translate website content.

Cooperation in action Armenia: Innovative approaches to strengthen the private tourism industry

Armenia in the South Caucasus is still largely uncharted territory in terms of tourism. Yet the mountainous country has a lot to offer: impressive cultural heritage sites, unique natural landscapes, vibrant cities and a dynamically developing wine and catering industry.

However, the country's potential is not being tapped to the full. Businesses in the tourism sector lack access to capital and markets, and they lack support for the development of new products and of viable business models. There are also no platforms to coordinate joint activities with the public sector at the regional and national levels, especially with regard to product development, marketing, and training.

German activities

Germany supports a programme for private sector development and vocational education in the South Caucasus in order to foster sustainable economic development in the region. As part of this programme – and with co-financing from the European Union –, the ITTD project (Innovative Tourism and Technology Development for Armenia) focuses on the sustainable, forward-looking development of Armenia's tourism sector with special attention for engagement with the private sector. The project builds on ongoing activities, especially in the fields of wine tourism and training.

Project focus

The project seeks to foster tourism development in three target regions in northern Armenia – Shirak, Lori and Tavush. It focuses on four fields of action:

• Access to finance for private enterprises
• Support for entrepreneurship and start-ups
• Expansion of sector coordination at the regional level
• Support for the tourism authority in the field of international marketing

The project also uses synergies by closely linking its tourism-related activities with those that focus on technology.

Among other things, the project can draw on extensive support programmes with a total volume of 3.5 million euros that can be accessed by private companies in the tourism sector and by organisations that pursue regional development efforts.

A Tourism Innovation Academy has been set up jointly with partners. It supports enterprises which receive programme grants by offering them workshops and mentoring as they develop their products.

At the regional level, support is provided to organisations that bring together businesses, associations, education facilities and local public institutions in order to boost the development of tourist destinations.

In order to make Armenia better known as an international tourist destination and to give providers of tourism services better access to international markets, the project works closely with the Tourism Committee of the Ministry of Economy.

All project activities focus on fostering innovative business thinking and practice. Above all, the idea is to diversify the options for tourists, make rural areas more attractive, and make the sector more competitive.

The results can already be seen – for example, more new businesses being started (including increasingly by women), a broader range of options being available for tourists, especially in the fields of nature and outdoor tourism and wine and gastro tourism, and the tourism season increasingly being extended to the entire year.

Under a pilot project, support has been provided to five companies offering outdoor and sports activities such as kayaking, climbing, zip-lining, high ropes courses, and motorbike tours. They have been assisted in introducing safety standards and obtaining the internationally recognised TÜV safety certification.

In order to make destinations more attractive, the project also supports the development of the creative industries. Together with a partner, it has set up the ArtBox Incubator to foster entrepreneurial thinking in the artist and creative world.

Still from the video “Fostering businesses and start-ups in the tourism sector – the Tourism Innovation Academy”

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Fostering businesses and start-ups in the tourism sector – the Tourism Innovation Academy

A 12-month programme comprising workshops, mentoring and community events, tailored to tourism start-ups in Armenia

Still from the video “Expanding tourism options – winter tourism in the Shirak region”

Copyright © ITTD

Expanding tourism options – winter tourism in the Shirak region

The northern regions of Armenia, including in particular the Shirak region, have great potential for the development of winter tourism.

Still from the video “Accessible tourism in Armenia – a pilot project with the Arites travel agency”

Copyright © AriTes

Accessible tourism in Armenia – a pilot project with the Arites travel agency

Arites gives visitors with disabilities a chance to travel in Armenia.

Project data

Envisaged duration: April 2024 to March 2027

Financial volume: 6.1 million euros

• to the overview page on tourism

As at: 18/07/2024

J.D. Vance Responded To An Immigration Question By Recommending The Movie 'Gangs Of New York'

Just checking in on who he alienated today.

Republican vice-presidential candidate J. Divan Vance continues to amaze and astound. He has less than 100 days now to alienate every subgroup of his fellow citizens before the presidential election. Now, it seems, he's after the descendants of every European immigrant group of the past two centuries—German-Americans, Irish-Americans, Italian-Americans. This might have flown if he were the running mate of Millard Fillmore. But now, it only demonstrates that we ought not to trust history to those people who mistake it for a tackhammer. Earlier this week, Vance clumsily tried to link his ticket's obsessive panic over migrant criminality to the historic violence visited on previous waves of immigration, and the violence practiced by immigrants in return. Vance seems to be intimating that those particular groups have not yet assimilated to his liking. And, in an additional irony, he spouted off on the subject in Milwaukee, the entire character of which was changed by refugees from the 1848 revolution in Germany, to the point where the city elected four Socialist mayors.

Also, too— Gangs of New York? What is this guy's major malfunction?

Another damn thing . From FoxWeather:

Also known as bristle worms, fireworms are small worms covered in tiny, needle-like spikes that are filled with venom, according to the National Park . Over the past two days, the creatures have washed up onto large logs covered in gooseneck barnacles. They noted that the worms may have been feeding on the barnacles.The Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies is warning beachgoers of the worms, as the animals can inflict tremendous pain to those who touch them. "WARNING!!! Your worst nightmares are washing up right now in the form of bearded fireworms!" they said.

Nature continues to be impatient with our nonsense.

Weekly WWOZ Pick To Click: " Rice Pump" (Lost Bayou Ramblers): Yeah, I pretty much still love New Orleans.

Weekly Visit To The Pathé Archive: Here, from 1952, is the first plot point for the 2004 movie, National Treasure. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are moved from the Library of Congress to the National Archives building. It seems to have been quite a production. There are some nice shots of the documents being lowered into the vaults beneath the main exhibition hall, which, as we learned at the multiplex, were not Nicolas Cage-proof. History is so cool.

And now, a word from the former Naturalist In Chief :

The wind is ruining everything, killing all your birds, destroying the fields, all these gorgeous fields, you got windmills all over the place and you have birds. You want to see a bird cemetery? Just go under a windmill. The bald eagle. These windmills knock them out like nothing.

For the record, I don't want to see a bird cemetery.

Discovery Corner: Hey, look what we found! From the Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine:

In November 2022, Basem Gehad, an archaeologist with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, sent a papyrus unearthed at the ancient site of Philadelphia in Egypt to Yvona Trnka-Amrhein, assistant professor of classics . The two scholars have also recently discovered the upper half of a colossal statue of the ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Ramesses II in their joint excavation project at Hermopolis Magna. She began to pore over the high-resolution photo of the papyrus (Egyptian law prohibits physically removing any artifact from the country), scrutinizing its 98 lines.

“After more digging, I realized I should call in an expert in Euripides fragments,” she says. “Luckily, my mentor in the department is just that!” Working together, Trnka-Amrhein and renowned classics Professor John Gibert embarked on many months of grueling work, meticulously poring over a high-resolution photo of the 10.5-square-inch papyrus. They made out words and ensured that the words they thought they were seeing fit the norms of tragic style and meter. Eventually, they became confident that they were working with new material from two fragmentary Euripides plays, Polyidus and Ino. Twenty-two of the lines were previously known in slightly varied versions, but “80 percent was brand-new stuff,” Gibert says.

And what plays they were.

Polyidus retells an ancient Cretan myth in which King Minos and Queen Pasiphaë demand that the eponymous seer resurrect their son Glaucus after he drowns in a vat of honey. “Actually, it has a relatively happy ending. It’s not one of these tragedies where everyone winds up dead,” Trnka-Amrhein says: Polyidus is able to revive the boy using an herb he previously saw one snake use to revive another. The papyrus contains part of a scene in which Minos and Polyidus debate the morality of resurrecting the dead, she says.

Ino came close to being one of Euripides’ best-known plays, Gibert says. Part of the text was inscribed on cliffs in Armenia that were destroyed in modern conflict. Fortunately, early 20th-century Russian scholars had preserved the images in drawings. The eponymous character is an aunt of the Greek god Dionysus and part of the royal family of Thebes. In previously known fragments of a related play, Ino is an evil stepmother intent on killing her husband the Thessalian king’s children from a previous marriage. The new fragment introduces a new plot, Trnka-Amrhein says.

“Another woman is the evil stepmother, and Ino is the victim,” she says. “The third wife of the king is trying to eliminate Ino’s children. … Ino turns the tables on her, causing her to kill her own children and commit suicide. It’s a more traditional tragedy: death, mayhem, suicide.”

I think not enough of our great literature has been carved into the cliffs and into the sides of mountains. At least, Ron DeSantis couldn't get his clammy hands on them.

Hey, New York Times. Is it a good day for dinosaur news? It's always a good day for dinosaur news! We've found the source of the murder weapon!

The nature of this apocalyptic object, known as the Chicxulub impactor, has inspired intense debates, including a long-running dispute over whether it was a comet or an asteroid. But evidence has been mounting in recent years that the roughly six-mile-wide impactor belonged to a family of asteroids that formed beyond the orbit of Jupiter, and that rarely impact Earth.

Many mysteries remain about the Chicxulub impact, as well as about the broader role that asteroid strikes have played in the emergence and evolution of life on Earth — and, potentially, other planets. Carbonaceous asteroids have wiped out untold species in our planet’s past, but they may have also helped seed Earth with water, and other essential ingredients for life, at the dawn of the solar system.

And while the Chicxulub impactor doomed the dinosaurs, it simultaneously enabled the rise of mammals , including humans. So we may owe that rogue asteroid a measure of gratitude.“Without this impact, what would our Earth look like today?” Dr. Fischer-Gödde said. “We should probably value, a bit more, that we are around and this is maybe a lucky coincidence that everything came to place like it is today.”

I'll be back on Monday, live from the DNC in Chicago. In the meantime, spare a thought for the folks in the path of Hurricane Ernesto, and in Morocco, and Colombia, and in the flood zone in Libya, and the flood zones all across the Ohio Valley, and on the Horn of Africa, and in Tanzania and Kenya, and in the English midlands, and in Virginia, and in Texas and Louisiana, and in California, and the flood zones of Indonesia, and in the storm-battered south of Georgia, and in Kenya, and in the flood areas in Dubai (!) and in Pakistan, and Brazil, and in the flood zones in Russia and Kazakhstan, and in the flood zones in Iran, where loose crocodiles are becoming a problem, and in the flood zones on Oahu, and in the fire zones in Oregon, and western Canada, and Australia, and in north Texas, and in Lahaina, where they’re still trying to recover their lives, and under the volcano in Iceland, and for the gun-traumatized folks in Austin and at UNLV, and in Philadelphia, and in Perry, Iowa, and especially for our fellow citizens in the LGBTQ+ community, who deserve so much better from their country than they’ve been getting.

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UN Tourism Global Conference on Wine Tourism Heads to Armenia to Focus on Cultural Heritage

Aug 20, 2024.

The UN Tourism Global Conference on Wine Tourism is set to return to focus on traditions and cultural heritage. The eighth edition of the Conference, co-hosted by the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, will be held in Yerevan (11-13 September 2024).

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