Tourism in Armenia
Encyclopedia
Tourism in Armenia has been a key sector to the Armenian economy since the 1990s as half a million people visit the country ever year, mostly ethnic Armenians
from the Diaspora. The Armenian Ministry of Economy reports that most of the tourists come from the CIS
, particularly Russia
and Georgia, EU states, Iran
and the US.
Although there is a shortage of resources, Armenia has been investing in new hotel
s to increase tourism. Outdoor activities and scenery seem to be the primary attractions. Lake Sevan
, the world’s largest mountain lake, is a popular summer tourist spot. The Tsakhkadzor ski resort
is open for skiing
in the winter and hiking and picnicking the rest of the year. Mt. Ararat, the traditional site of the landing of Noah’s Ark, is located in Turkey
. Yerevan
, Armenia’s capital, also boasts opera
, theaters and other cultural attractions. The casino
s in Argavand are also popular with tourists.
Tourism has been growing gradually in Armenia since 2000. The Republic of Armenia Ministry of Economy declared that 575,281 tourists visited Armenia in 2009, 3% more than the estimated index for 2008, and 5% growth was predicted for 2010 as the world economy stabilizes.
UNESCO
There are some objects in Armenia which are in the official list of UNESCO
World Heritage Site
s:
Armenians
Armenian people or Armenians are a nation and ethnic group native to the Armenian Highland.The largest concentration is in Armenia having a nearly-homogeneous population with 97.9% or 3,145,354 being ethnic Armenian....
from the Diaspora. The Armenian Ministry of Economy reports that most of the tourists come from the CIS
CIS
CIS usually refers to the Commonwealth of Independent States, a modern political entity consisting of eleven former Soviet Union republics.The acronym CIS may also refer to:-Organizations:...
, particularly Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and Georgia, EU states, Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
and the US.
Although there is a shortage of resources, Armenia has been investing in new hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
s to increase tourism. Outdoor activities and scenery seem to be the primary attractions. Lake Sevan
Lake Sevan
Lake Sevan is the largest lake in Armenia and the Caucasus region. It is one of the largest high-altitude lakes in the world.Lake Sevan is situated in the central part of the Republic of Armenia, inside the Gegharkunik Province, at the altitude of 1,900m above sea level...
, the world’s largest mountain lake, is a popular summer tourist spot. The Tsakhkadzor ski resort
Tsakhkadzor ski resort
The Tsakhkadzor Ski Resort is located just above the Armenian town of Tsakhkadzor approximately 60 km from Armenia’s capital Yerevan and the Zvartnots Airport.- Tsakhkadzor facts and history :...
is open for skiing
Skiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
in the winter and hiking and picnicking the rest of the year. Mt. Ararat, the traditional site of the landing of Noah’s Ark, is located in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. Yerevan
Yerevan
Yerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia and one of the world's oldest continuously-inhabited cities. Situated along the Hrazdan River, Yerevan is the administrative, cultural, and industrial center of the country...
, Armenia’s capital, also boasts opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
, theaters and other cultural attractions. The casino
Casino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
s in Argavand are also popular with tourists.
Tourism has been growing gradually in Armenia since 2000. The Republic of Armenia Ministry of Economy declared that 575,281 tourists visited Armenia in 2009, 3% more than the estimated index for 2008, and 5% growth was predicted for 2010 as the world economy stabilizes.
UNESCOUNESCOThe United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
World Heritage SiteWorld Heritage SiteA UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
objects
There are some objects in Armenia which are in the official list of UNESCOUNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
s:
- Monastery of HaghpatHaghpat MonasteryHaghpat Monastery, also known as Haghpatavank , is a medieval Armenian monastery complex in Haghpat, Armenia....
and SanahinSanahinSanahin is a village in the northern province of Lori in Armenia, now considered part of the city of Alaverdi...
— 1996 - Cathedral and Churches of EchmiadzinEchmiadzinMother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin is a 4th century Armenian church in the town of Ejmiatsin, Armenia. It is also the central cathedral of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin of the Armenian Apostolic Church....
and the Archaeological Site of ZvartnotsZvartnotsZvartnots |translit.]]: , meaning celestial angels) is a town located in the Armenian province of Armavir, about 10 km west from Yerevan, approximately half way to Ejmiatsin....
— 2000 - Monastery of GeghardGeghardFor the town, see Geghard, Armenia.The monastery of Geghard is a unique architectural construction in the Kotayk province of Armenia, being partially carved out of the adjacent mountain, surrounded by cliffs...
and the Upper Azat Valley — 2000
See also
- ArmeniaArmeniaArmenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
- YerevanYerevanYerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia and one of the world's oldest continuously-inhabited cities. Situated along the Hrazdan River, Yerevan is the administrative, cultural, and industrial center of the country...
- Economy of ArmeniaEconomy of ArmeniaArmenia is the second most densely populated of the former Soviet republics. It is situated between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, bordered on the north and east by Georgia and Azerbaijan and on the south and west by Iran and Turkey....
- Armenian architectureArmenian architectureArmenian architecture is an architectural style developed over the last 4,500 years of human habitation in the Armenian Highland and used principally by the Armenian people.- Common characteristics of Armenian architecture:...
- Zvartnots International AirportZvartnots International AirportZvartnots International Airport is located near Zvartnots, west of Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia. The airport was built in 1961. It is now the busiest airport in Armenia and the Caucasus. The draftsmen of the airport included architects M. Khachikyan, A. Tarkhanyan, J. Sheqhlyan, L....
- JermukJermukJermuk is a spa town in the southern Armenian province of Vayots Dzor, 53 km east of Yeghegnadzor, the capital of Vayots Dzor. It was a popular destination during the Soviet era and nowadays is still famous for its hot springs and its brand of mineral water that is bottled in the vicinity...