AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Website: www.agbu.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, June 28, 2018

ARMENIA CONCLUDES SUCCESSFUL MEDIA AND TRADE EVENTS

The Program Included Events in Three U.S. Cities and a Visit to the Smithsonian 
Folklife Festival in Washington D.C.

The State Tourism Committee of Armenia, along with private sector 
representatives from the Armenian tourism industry, has participated in a 
series of meetings and events in three cities to increase awareness of 
Armenia’s cultural heritage tourism offering. The culminating event in 
Washington D.C. included a visit to the Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the 
National Mall, which is showcasing Armenian cultural heritage this year.

The series of events commenced in Boston on Monday, June 25, with travel media 
appointments and a gathering of local travel trade representatives at the 
Boston offices of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU). Hripsime 
Grigoryan, the newly appointed chairperson of the State Tourism Committee of 
Armenia, welcomed guests with a destination presentation, kicking off a series 
of educational trade workshops and networking sessions with Armenian tourism 
industry partners. 

On Tuesday, June 26, the State Tourism Committee of Armenia participated in 
another travel trade event at the AGBU Headquarters in New York City, which was 
followed by a media reception attended by travel journalists. In addition to a 
destination overview, media attendees were also treated to a presentation by 
Pulitzer Prize-winning Armenian author and poet, Peter Balakian. Balakian 
discussed Armenia’s rich history and culture, as well as his quest to discover 
his family’s historic homeland, Armenia, and his connection to the Armenian 
diaspora in America. 

While in New York, the delegation also conducted a day of travel trade 
appointments on Wednesday, June 27, with key tour operators. 

The events were organized by the My Armenia, a cultural heritage tourism 
program funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and 
implemented by Smithsonian Institution, and by AGBU, the world’s largest 
nonprofit Armenian organization.

From New York City, the delegation traveled to Washington D.C. on Thursday, 
June 28, for its final travel trade gathering at the Soorp Khatch Armenian 
Apostolic Church and an open-air cocktail reception at the Smithsonian Folklife 
Festival. The annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival is produced by the 
Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage and produced in 
partnership with the National Park Service. This is the first time Armenian 
culture will be broadly presented at the festival. AGBU is among the festival’s 
sponsors.  

“AGBU is proud to continue its long-term collaboration and partnership with the 
Smithsonian Institution, which began with the My Armenia program,” said Natalie 
Gabrelian, director of Alternative Education at AGBU. “Hosting this series of 
events aligns with our goal to educate all about Armenian culture and history. 
Encouraging travel industry insiders’ interest toward Armenia and all it has to 
offer the world is key to promoting tourism and putting it on the map for 
travelers."

“This was a very important mission to raise awareness about Armenia as a 
tourism destination,” said Grigoryan, chairperson of the State Tourism 
Committee of Armenia. “Through our partnerships with My Armenia Program and the 
Smithsonian Folklife Festival, it has been an honor to have the opportunity to 
further share our message with U.S. consumers and inspire North American 
travelers to visit our incredibly cultural destination.”

About the State Tourism Committee of Armenia
The State Tourism Committee of the Ministry of Ecnomic Development and 
Investments of the Republic Armenia is the authorized party for development and 
implementation of policies in the field of tourism. It was established in late 
2016.  

About My Armenia Cultural Heritage Tourism Program
The My Armenia Program is a cultural heritage tourism program funded by USAID 
and implemented by the Smithsonian Institution. The program harnesses the power 
of research, documentation, and storytelling to strengthen cultural 
sustainability through community-based tourism development.

About Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU)
Established in 1906, AGBU the world's largest non-profit Armenian organization. 
Headquartered in New York City, AGBU preserves and promotes the Armenian 
identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, 
annually touching the lives of some 500,000 Armenians around the world. For 
more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit 
www.agbu.org.

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PHOTO CAPTIONS:

Armenia-Trade-Events01.jpg: Hripsime Grigoryan, the newly appointed Chair of 
the State Tourism Committee of Armenia with Pulitzer Prize winning author and 
poet, Peter Balakian.

Armenia-Trade-Events02.jpg: Travel and tourism industry and media professionals 
gather at AGBU for a trade show on Armenia.

Armenia-Trade-Events03.jpg: Natalie Gabrelian, AGBU’s Director of Alternative 
Education, presents AGBU’s tourism apps and eBooks.

Armenia-Trade-Events04.jpg: Hripsime Grigoryan, Chair of the State Tourism 
Committee of Armenia, invites all to experience the sights, sounds, tastes and 
treasures of the country.

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