JAPANESE TOUR OPERATORS ARRIVE IN ARMENIA
ArmenPress
July 20 2005
YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS: Within the framework of Familiarizion
trips to Armenia, five Japanese tour operators and one travel writer
arrived in Armenia on July 16, 2005 to discover Armenia’s eclectic
cultural treasures, ancient monasteries and natural wonders, and to
become acquainted with Armenia’s hospitable people.
For the last four years the Armenian Tourism Development Agency
(ATDA), in cooperation with the local tourism industry, has organized
over 12 “familiarization trips” for foreign tour operators, travel
agents and travel writers with the goal of increasing Armenia’s
tourism awareness globally, and positioning Armenia as a new and
attractive travel destination. Armenia was presented to the Japanese
audience for the first time ever in 2002 and again in 2004 at the
JATA (Japanese Association of Travel Agents) International Tourism
Exhibition in order to increase the small number of Asian tourists
visiting Armenia. As a positive outcome of the JATA exhibition, the
ATDA in cooperation with the Armenian tourism industry, hosted the
Japanese tourism professionals in Armenia.
Air travel was provided by “Aeroflot” Russian Airlines and ground
excursions to the southern and northern regions of Armenia were
provided by Saberatours Svan, Armentour travel agencies and the
Armenian Tourism Development Agency. The Familiarization trip is
sure to secure promising increase in the number of Asian tourists
for the coming tourist season and promote Armenia as an unrevealed
tourism destination.
The Armenian Tourism Development Agency (ATDA) has proactively
encouraged the development of Armenian tourism, both locally and
globally since 2001. Today, ATDA is chartered by the Government of
the Republic of Armenia, with funding from Hovnanian International.