This is just one of many large differences between the two countries.

However, Greece is an affordable vacation destination for much of Europe. I’d rather see Armenia’s tourism industry base itself on the Chech model.

Could Yerevan be a Prague?

I think not, Katy. Even Tbilisi which is prettier than Yerevan can’t be a Prague.

Armenia’s virtue as a tourist destination woudl be if prices are kept low and concentrate on the cultural and historical monuments in the country. However, even that won’t do for every tourist and so development of eco-tourism, winter sports, health spas etc would be important. The Diaspora tourist makes things simpler of course as just stepping foot in Armenia, especially if Ararat is visible, is about all that’s required. For foreigners, however, travelling to the regions is important and investing in that infrastructure.

But Yerevan will not be a Prague. It’s too new a city and the remnants of Erebuni don’t really make up for a lack of historic buildings such as those found in Prague. Of course, for the Diaspora it probably won’t matter. Yerevan was always the focus of everybody’s attention even during the soviet days to attract Diasporan interest in Armenia. For foreigners, the environment, nature, culture and history that’s mainly outside of Yerevan is the attraction.

What we need more than anything, however, is regional community-based sustainable tourism development programs.

Nagorno-Karabakh “I would caution about going here because morally the situation is very questionable - although it’s a very beautiful place. ”
· Entry via Armenia.

http://travel.guardian.co.uk/feature/0,8806,1472223,00.html

Welcome to nowhere

If you struggle to find Transnistria or Somaliland in an atlas, there’s a reason: they don’t officially exist. But can you holiday there? Gwyn Topham reports

Thursday April 28, 2005