“Tourist agencies are facing a huge challenge and we are wondering if tourists will actually go to Artsakh. However, surveys showed that many tourists wish to visit Artsakh in order to understand the current situation. However, I am unable to answer the question of whether or not it is safe for tourists,” the tourism tour agency director and expert Rima Khachatryan said at the Tesaket press club. According to her, she is preparing to visit Artsakh soon in order to understand how she will develop itineraries in Artsakh so that tourists will be safe.
The president of the Armenian Tourism Federation, Mekhak Apresyan, said that one of the most important issues today is official information regarding issues of safety.
“I believe that tourism is very important to Armenia and Artsakh, as well as tourist visits to Artsakh. Any possible danger and restrictions need to be prevented because every nation has the right to have, present, and maintain its culture, develop its cultural heritage, and create a living for itself within its own country, and no one has the right to restrict that.”
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According to him, the contact that needs to be safe is provided by the corridor between Armenia and Artsakh. “Artsakh desperately needs tourism in order to resolve humanitarian issues. Tourism has an important purpose in terms of economics, social issues, and politics. And the state’s most important tasks are to provide clear information and maintain security so that businesses and our society can understand the situation and what will happen tomorrow.”
According to Apresyan, the number of tourist visits to Artsakh grew by 50 percent in 2019. That growth continued. “I believe that the international tourism market remains interested in Artsakh. These results in Artsakh tourism are based on many reasons, including the desire to get to know the cultural heritage as well as gastro and village tourism, in order to develop and present comprehensive and interesting tourism results.”
Psychologist Irina Tsaturyan spoke about how many tourists were interested in visiting Dadivank after news broke that Dadivank would be handed over even in the time period immediately following the war, and how there was a massive flow of tourists despite the possible dangers. “The church, which people visit often, has an aura and it continues to attract believers in particular. And who should maintain that? It should be able to ensure the development of tourism.” However, according to Tsaturyan, tourists also prioritize issues of safety.
“The movement of people and the ability to travel were restricted due to the coronavirus pandemic and the war, which had a negative impact on our mental health. When we travel, we return with positive emotions, and it is important for us to have those feelings,” the psychologist said. According to her, a safe route needs to be developed between the three states so that people will be able to visit tourist attractions that have cultural heritage and centuries-old treasures, and that is very important for Armenians and foreign citizens.
When speaking about the issues facing the tourism industry, Rima Khachatryan said that there has been a decrease in the number of jobs in the industry as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and experts were forced to find jobs elsewhere. That is why there is currently an issue of finding experts in the industry.
Lusine Budaghyan
