Conference on Ecotourism in Armenia
Saturday, April 2, 2016
American University of Armenia
Welcoming Remarks — Randall Rhodes, AUA Provost
Purpose of Conference — Alen Amirkhanian, AUA Acopian Center for the Environment
Sergey Avetisyan, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economy
Khachik Hakobyan, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Nature Protection (PPT Presentation)
Ramaz Gokhelashvili, KFW/MNP Support Programme for Protected Areas Armenia (PPT Presentation)
Instructions — Tatevik Vardanyan and Oscar Alvarado, AUA Acopian Center for the Environment
Food is an integral part of a tourist’s experience. Ecotourists, in particular, have high expectations on their nutritional and personal care products. They also want to experience food and herbal harvesting and preparation.
Speakers
Nune Manukyan, Areni Wine Festival
Artur Gazaryan, Kapan
Ara Markosian, Nairian (PPT Presentation)
Moderator: Anna Yeritsyan, International Center for Agribusiness Research and Education
Preserving and protecting wildlife and nature while promoting environmental assets as tourism attractions.
Speakers
Sargis Aghayan, Young Biologists Association, Zaritap-Gomk-Martiros Ecotourism Trail (PPT Presentation)
Tsovinar Hovhanisyan, Armenian Society for Protection of Birds
Tamar Galstyan, Plants of Armenia
Levon Galstyan, Citizen Forest Monitoring and Pan-Armenian Environmental Front
Hayk Melik-Adamyan, Non-living Natural Monuments Expert
Moderator: Victoria Burnazyan, Ecolur NGO
Best practices for adventure activities in Armenia (i.e. respecting nature, safety guidelines, engagement with local communities)
Speakers
Arman Antonyan, Federation of Amateur Cycling and Cycle Tourism (PPT presentation)
Mkhitar Mkhitaryan, Armenian Alpine Club
Armen Sargsyan, Paragliding in Armenia
Arpine Hakobyan, NGO Center – EU Project for Cycling Tourism
Moderator: Vardan Gareyan, GavarTour (PPT Presentation)
Promoting and respecting cultural and historical assets as drivers of tourism (i.e. archaeological sites, naturally sourced textiles or carpets, and handmade arts & crafts)
Speakers
Boris Gasparyan, RA NAS Institute of Archeology and Ethnography
Robert Ghuksyan, Timeland Foundation
Davit Simonyan, Areni Wine Art B&B in Areni, ARDI project/USAID/Fuller House & Heifer Armenia
Tatev Muradyan, Silk Road Hotel (PPT Presentation)
Moderator: Hamazasp Danielyan, Smithsonian Institute
Karen Manvelyan, WWF, Protected areas and nature-based tourism in Armenia (PPT Presentation)
Karen Karapetyan, TJS, Transboundary Joint Secretariat for the Southern Caucasus (PPT Presentation)
Nora Mirzoyan, World Bank (PPT Presentation)
Vrazdat Karapetyan, Regional Development Fund
Zhanna Galyan, Ecotourism Association of Armenia (PPT Presentation)
Discuss current initiatives to mark and map a comprehensive network of hiking trails in Armenia and to share international best practices, standards and norms
Speakers
Gevorg Gasparyan, Arevi Tours (PPT Presentation)
Raffi Kojian, Janapar Trail (PPT Presentation)
Tom Allen & Alessandro Mambelli, Trans Armenia Trail (PPT Presentation)
Anahit Galstyan, One Armenia
Moderator: Aram Keryan, American University of Armenia
What are the basic amenities, facilities and standards that international tourists expect when traveling. How can Armenian business meet these standards while remaining authentic to their surroundings?
Speakers
Vahagn Vardumyan, Sun Child Eco Tours (PPT Presentation)
Hasmik Aslanyan-Azoyan, Basen Hotel in Sissian, Heifer Armenia/Development Principles NGO
Armen Kazaryan/Siranush Vardanyan, ARK Armenia (PPT Presentation)
Anahit Ghazanchyan, Heifer Armenia/Development Principles NGO
Moderator: Antoine Terjanian, Yeghenadzor B&B Network
What should be taken into account when starting an ecotourism business? What are the steps to ensure financial stability and how can businesses include the greater community in the value chain.
Speakers
Anahit Badalian, Berd Women’s Resource Center
Tigran Chibukhchyan, Apaga Resort
Argishti Mikayelyan, Agrotourism, Camping, B&B, Greens’ Union of Armenia – Vayk, Vayots Dzor
Yura Sargsyan, Chef and B&B owner in Tsaghkunk Village, Heifer Armenia/Development Principles NGO
Moderator: Sevak Hovhannisyan, EV Consulting
How can the country as a whole, market all the different ecotourism activities being offered in Armenia? How do we connect each other and create a network that will benefit everyone?
Speakers
Karine Davoyan, Union of Incoming Tour Operators
Vladimir Grigoryan, Armenia Adventure Travel Association
Razmik Sargsyan, Young Biologists Association
Aram Tarakhchyan, ApricotPlus – Bjni UNDP Pilot Project
Moderator: Armine Israelyan, IDeA Foundation
Gayane Ghandilyan, Digital Pomegranate (PPT Presentation)
Vazgen Galstyan, Jermuk Development Center NGO – Ecotourism Festival (PPT Presentation)
Alen Amirkhanian, Closing Remarks/Lessons Learned/Next Steps