James Tufenkian Gets Community Responsible Tourism Award
James Tufenkian, who is in rug manufacturing and tourism development business in Armenia, has been recognized by Travel and Leisure magazine for “defending the historical, cultural, and ecological integrity of tourist destinations.”
The magazine paid tribute to seven innovative programs and initiatives across seven categories in the inaugural Global Vision Awards. Selected by a jury of seven distinguished global travel authorities, the winners are defending the historical, cultural, and ecological integrity of various regions throughout the world and are featured in the magazine’s December issue.
The winners are:
Economic Development: Tufenkian Artisan Carpets, Nepal and Armenia
New York-based James Tufenkian has enhanced the economy of developing communities in Nepal and Armenia by implementing worker-welfare programs, providing schools, housing, medical facilities and a water-purification plant for thousands of artisans and craftspeople.
I’ve had the opportunity to visit one of the Tufenkian Herritage hotels on the eastern shores of Sevan - brilliant! The hotel has done alot for the villages around it in providing jobs, visibility and appreciation in property values. I have heard from locals the community support that Mr. T provides which is incredible. The hotel and villagea are about 2 hours from Yerevan. Cell covergae drops off way before you get to the hotel. However, the hotel itself had 5-bar coverage when I was there in August (the weekend we were there it was sold out). The cell coverage has provided the village with alternative telecoms to the otherwise single analog line in the General Store. This award is well deserved! I look forward to visiting the other Heritage hotels next time I am in AM.
Comment by Roupen N. — 12/1/2005 @ 12:29 am
Was the cell phone coverage Armentel or Vivacell?
Comment by Hovakim — 12/1/2005 @ 6:31 am
Good question. I dont remember… probably Vivacell - the signal quality was just too good
Comment by Roupen N. — 12/2/2005 @ 2:15 am