Hospitable Armenia Not For The Local's Vacation

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• published: 06 Feb 2012
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During recent years in spite of inflation and the world economic crisis, a great number of Armenians who are financially secure, prefer spending their winter holidays abroad. What are the main reasons, that they choose these countries? Those interviewed claim that cost is the factor. They say it is cheaper to travel overseas than travelling to holiday destinations in Armenia. According to Edmond Ghulyan, convincing people to spend holidays in their native land, is not an easy job. It's been two years that he spends his holidays out of Armenia. "I spent my winter holidays in Dubai in 2010 and in Poland in 2011. First of all the reason was the high prices that were offered in Armenia and secondly not the best service. If I had more finance I would much rather prefer to stay here," mentioned Edmond. Armen Himosyan, Manager of "Aria Tours" tourism agency in his interview for www.armenianow.com, said "The prices are illogically high in Armenia, in some cases, much higher than the prices, offered in Egypt, Dubai or Turkey. Maybe the reason is that the prices for having a rest in Armenia are few and the demand is high." Statistics provided by www.epress.am shows that sometimes it's cheaper to spend winter holidays abroad than in resorts and high ranking hotels in Armenia. The picture is as follows: Hotels in the Czech capital of Prague are incomparably cheaper. Two people staying at the Corinthia Towers, a five-star hotel near the city center, between Dec. 31 and Jan. 6 (including breakfast) will cost 688 Euros (app. 344,000 drams, $899 USD). More affordable yet are the four-star hotels in the center, where, for the same period, you can book a room for 500--600 Euros (app. 250,000--300,000 drams or $653--784 USD). It is even cheaper the vacation in Egypt. For two people to stay in the five-star Pyramisa Blue Lagoon Resort in Hurghada between Dec. 31 and Jan. 6 will cost $128 USD (app. 50,000 drams) per night, all inclusive. In the ski resort of Bakuriani, Georgia, a room for two (including three meals a day) will cost anywhere from 50-100 USD. In Armenia's Tsaghkadzor's Multi Rest House is asking 1879 USD (including 3 meals a day, for two, from Dec 31 to Jan 6.) Arhur'sAghveran Resort is offering a Dec 31- Jan 3 package for 2 for 1252 USD including a NYE banquet and entertainment program. Arhur'sAghveran Resort is offering a Dec 31- Jan 3 package for 2 for 1252 USD including a NYE banquet and entertainment program. "The prices are not affordable for the middle class Armenians. And there are many reasons: State taxes, expenses, facilities, salaries. So, for the hotel to break even, we need at least 18 million drams. The higher the taxes, the more expensive it is to stay here," said Anush Kaytsakyan, Sales and Marketing Director of Arhur'sAghveran Resort. Realizing the problem, that many citizens prefer to spend their holidays abroad, 7 years ago the Armenian Government designed strategic plans for developing winter tourism, but till now the industry experts believe that no significant changes are seen in practice. "Armenia should develop its domestic tourism first of all to reach progress in this field as a whole", said Robert Minasyan, chancellor of Armenian Tourism Institute (a branch of Russian International Academy for Tourism). Hripsime Hovakimyan Laura Samvelyan