UN Tourism Launches Investment Guidelines for Armenia

• Europe
• 12 Sep 2024

UN Tourism has added to its growing portfolio of investment guidelines with a new edition focused on the potential of Armenia.

"Tourism Doing Business – Investing in Armenia" guides investors and tourism professionals seeking in-depth knowledge about Armenia's tourism sector. It allows them to make informed decisions by showcasing Armenia's unique cultural heritage, robust economic growth, and supportive business environment.

UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili says: "Armenia is a rising tourism destination. At the same time, its dedication to economic reforms, infrastructure development, and the promotion of foreign direct investment has positioned it as the fastest-growing economy in Europe. These new Guidelines underscore Armenia's commitment to fostering a conducive environment for international capital and showcase the opportunities the country's tourism sector offers to investors everywhere."

Armenia: An Attractive Destination

These new Guidelines underscore Armenia's commitment to fostering a conducive environment for international capital and showcase the opportunities the country’s tourism sector offers to investors everywhere

Over recent years, Armenia has enjoyed notable growth as a tourist destination.  International tourist to the country reached 2.3 million in 2023, a 22.3% increase from 2019. This growth significantly outpaces the regional average in Central and Eastern Europe. Additionally, international tourism receipts in Armenia reached USD 3 billion in 2023, a 97% increase on 2019. The Guidelines explore the factors that help make Armenia such an attractive destination for both tourists and investors, including:

• Location: Armenia is strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, serving as a gateway between these regions.
• Accessibility: The country offers a visa-free entry policy for citizens of approximately 70 countries
• Connectivity: Armenia provides direct flights from over 50 cities across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Its principal airports collectively handle over 4 million passengers annually.

UN Tourism Executive Director Natalia Bayona says:  "Recent years have seen Armenia exhibit remarkable economic resilience and growth. International tourist arrivals are up almost 25% on pre-pandemic levels, while the arrival of investments across all sectors further illustrates the confidence in Armenia's tourism potential. We are proud to be working with Armenia to showcase it as an investment destination through these latest Guidelines from UN Tourism."

Opportunities for Investors

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows totalled close to USD 1 billion in 2022, the highest on record. This trend continued into 2023, with FDI totaling USD 443 million according to UNCTAD. Furthermore, recent updates from Armenian authorities suggest that the figure for 2023 is around USD 580 million, reflecting growing international confidence in Armenia's market.

The new Guidelines analyse the factors contributing to make Armenia, and its tourism sector, an attractive proposition for foreign investors, most notably:

• Economic growth and stability: Armenia enjoyed GDP growth of 8.7% in 2023, the fastest in Europe, with expectation growth of 6.0% in 2024. The economy has also experienced steady expansion driven by strategic sectors such as tourism, IT, and agriculture.  The Central Bank of Armenia has successfully maintained low and stable inflation rates, while the country also boasts a highly educated workforce with a literacy rate exceeding 99%.
• Favorable climate: The Foreign Investments Law allows unrestricted foreign capital participation, ensuring equal treatment for foreign and domestic investors. The government offers attractive tax incentives, such as VAT exemptions for tourism services and significant tax breaks for operators of tourist accommodations.
• Strategic partnerships: Membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) provides access to a single market of approximately 185 million consumers. The EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) also strengthens ties with the European Union.

Related links:

• Download New Release on PDF
• Investing in Armenia
• Investments Strategy

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UN Tourism in Kazakhstan: Working Together to Put Sustainability, Education and Innovation at the Heart of Tourism Development

• Europe
• 11 Sep 2024

UN Tourism has agreed to work with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan to foster the development of sustainable tourism in the country.

On an official visit, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololkiashvili met with the President of Kazakhstan, His Excellency, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to discuss avenues for closer collaboration around shared goals.

In the framework of his visit to Astana, the Secretary-General participated in a round table hosted by the President's Affairs office which brought together country's tourism stakeholders to discuss the current state of Kazakhstan's tourism sector, its challenges and strategic priorities. A Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports sets out key areas for collaboration to develop tourism in an inclusive and sustainable way.

UN Tourism is proud to work with the Republic of Kazakhstan to harness the unparalleled power of sustainable tourism to drive growth and support development

Secretary-General Pololikashvili said: "UN Tourism is proud to work with the Republic of Kazakhstan to harness the unparalleled power of sustainable tourism to drive growth and support development. By working together to promote innovation and drive investments into the sector, we can create many new jobs, support businesses of all sizes and preserve and promote at the same time Kazakhstan's rich heritage, environment and culture."

Collaboration in innovation and investments

Alongside the meeting with President Tokayev, the UN Tourism delegation also held high-level talks with both the Minister of Tourism and Sports Yerbol Myrzabossynov, and the Minister of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry, Zhaslan Madiyev. Discussions focused on the implementation of the MoU signed between the two parties, recognizing the importance of strengthening the tourism sector across the Republic.

Under the terms of the MoU, UN Tourism will cooperate with the Ministry in the following areas:

• Sustainable development of destinations: To support the sustainable development of various destinations across the Republic of Kazakhstan, including promotional efforts to attract international visitors and diversifying the social and economic benefits the sector delivers.
• Digitalization in Tourism: To develop and implement digital tools and platforms to enhance the tourist experience, to foster the use of innovative technologies, and to support smart travel development through joint efforts towards a first global hub for Digitalization in Tourism in Astana.
• Education and Training: To develop training programs and exchange programs and scholarships for students and professionals to gain international exposure, as well as supporting the creation of research centres, including the possibility of a new International Academy in the country.
• Innovation in tourism: To promote innovation in tourism by fostering creative solutions, and to develop and support a tourism innovation ecosystem that nurtures talent and entrepreneurs, driving growth and sustainability.
• Investment promotion in tourism: To share knowledge of the promotion of investment for the tourism sector, to foster collaboration, and to conduct joint research projects to gather data and insights on tourism trends, impacts, and investment opportunities in the Republic of Kazakhstan and its regions.

Celebrating Nomad Culture and Tourism

On the occasion of the official visit to Kazakhstan, the UN Tourism leadership was invited to the opening of the 5th World Nomad Games. The international competition aims to uphold nomad traditions and serves as a tourist attraction but also a means of preserving unique cultural heritage. The World Nomad Games are included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

UN Tourism in Kazakhstan

Collaboration in innovation and investments

UN Tourism in Kazakhstan

Collaboration in innovation and investments

UN Tourism in Kazakhstan

Collaboration in innovation and investments

UN Tourism in Kazakhstan

Collaboration in innovation and investments

UN Tourism in Kazakhstan

Collaboration in innovation and investments

Related links:

• Download New Release on PDF
• UN Tourism Regional Department for Europe
• Investments Strategy
• Sustainable development
• UN Tourism Academy

UN Tourism Puts Spotlight on Education and Innovation at Bled Strategic Forum

• Europe
• 5 Sep 2024

UN Tourism brought its expertise to the Bled Strategic Forum, highlighting the essential role of investments and innovation as drivers of a better future, while also engaging in an official visit to the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport to strengthen collaboration.

The Forum serves is recognized as the top international conference in Central and South-Eastern Europe, offering a platform to explore ideas on modern society and its future. Joining leading public and private sector policymakers and thinkers at the event, UN Tourism Executive Director Natalia Bayona made clear how the sector can continue to adapt and so drive inclusive and sustainable development, both across the region and globally.

Education and investments to drive change

As part of a special panel discussion on the power of data in tourism transformation, Ms Bayona highlighted the importance of rethinking education and training as a key step towards transforming the sector. "By equipping the workforce with digital skills, we can address challenges such as seasonality and overcrowding, while fostering smart, sustainable destinations," she said.

At the same time, UN Tourism also made clear the need for more and better-targeted investments into the sector, noting that this is already driving positive transformation and supporting the shift towards greater sustainability. Over the past five years alone, $48 billion in venture capital has been invested in tourism technology. "Together, innovation and education have the power to transform the industry," Ms Bayona concluded.

Strengthened collaboration with Slovenia

Within the framework of the Bled Strategic Forum UN Tourism commended Slovenia for its work promoting sustainable tourism as well as its remarkable record of attracting investments into the sector. The possibilities for further collaborations informed UN Tourism's meeting with the country's Minister of the Economy, Tourism and Sport Matjaž Han, most notably shared plans to boost private investments.

During the visit to the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport ,the UN Tourism delegation also advanced ideas for closer collaboration in the field of tourism education. A meeting with the Dean and other key academic staff of the School of Economics and Business of the University of Ljubljana explored the possibility of shared initiatives through the UN Tourism Online Academy, as well as the chance to offer Slovenian students international experience, whether through research placements and internships or online courses. 

Education and Innovation

Bled, Slovenia

Education and Innovation

Bled, Slovenia

Education and Innovation

Bled, Slovenia

Education and Innovation

Bled, Slovenia

Education and Innovation

Bled, Slovenia

Education and Innovation

Bled, Slovenia

Related links:

• Download New Release on PDF
• UN Tourism Academy
• UN Tourism Online Academy

UN Tourism Global Conference on Wine Tourism Heads to Armenia to Focus on Cultural Heritage

• All Regions, Europe
• 19 Aug 2024

The UN Tourism Global Conference on Wine Tourism is set to return to focus on traditions and cultural heritage. The eighth edition of the Conference, co-hosted by the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, will be held in Yerevan (11-13 September 2024).

This year's conference will focus on the theme "Heritage in Every Bottle: Crafting Authentic Wine Tourism Experiences," highlighting the importance of developing strategies that both preserve cultural traditions and benefit local communities. A key focus will be on reviving traditions in the evolving landscape of wine tourism, balancing modernization with cultural heritage.

UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili says: "Wine tourism continues to grow, both in popularity with tourists and as a pillar of rural growth and protector of cultural heritage. The Global Conference on Wine Tourism will once again bring together the most exciting leaders of the sector, and I look forward to welcoming them all to Yerevan, Armenia."

The Global Conference on Wine Tourism will once again bring together the most exciting leaders of the sector, and I look forward to welcoming them all to Yerevan, Armenia

"Armenia is honored to host the 8th UN Tourism Global Conference on Wine Tourism," stated Susanna Hakobyan, Acting Head of the Tourism Committee of the Republic of Armenia. "With our millennia-old winemaking tradition and rich cultural heritage, Armenia is uniquely positioned to showcase its innovative practices and exceptional wine culture. This conference offers a unique platform for collaboration, learning, and advancing the global discourse on wine tourism."

Iconic wine regions and top experts represented

The conference will showcase successful initiatives and provide a platform for exchanging expertise and developing innovative projects. Representatives from iconic wine regions, including the Strada del Barolo (Italy); Bourgogne (France), and Mendoza (Argentina), will present examples of best practices. Iter Vitis - Cultural Route of the Council of Europe, will also share insights from a network perspective.

Participants will explore strategies for attracting and engaging visitors, as well as fostering coordinated efforts among stakeholders to effectively promote wine routes and experiences and maximize their positive impact on local economies and communities.

The conference will feature prominent industry leaders, such Catena Zapata, named World's Best Winery for 2023. Attendees will be able to attend masterclasses at renowned Armenian wineries, such as the historic Areni-1 cave, the oldest known winery in the world. Topics will range from the application of e-commerce strategies in wine tourism to the integration of technology in sustainable wine tourism.

Discussions will also focus on developing effective communication strategies to reach a global audience. Digitalization expert Jochen Heussner (Italy) will engage in discussions with renowned wine tourism specialists, including Alder Yarrow, an acclaimed wine writer (USA), Paul Wagner, from the Culinary Institute of America and Napa Valley College (USA), and Gergely Szolnoki, a Professor of Market Research at Geisenheim University (Germany).

Related links

• Download the News Release in PDF
• 8th UN Tourism Global Conference on Wine Tourism: Event Website

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Sustainability on the Frontline of Online Education

• Europe
• 1 Jul 2024

A new series of online training sessions for hospitality businesses, focusing on community engagement, energy and greenhouse gases, as well as food and water management, has been developed by Booking.com in collaboration with UN Tourism. The courses have been launched on the Tourism Online Academy (TOA), a collaborative project between UN Tourism and IE University.

The four Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) address crucial aspects of sustainability to drive change in production and consumption patterns. While targeted at hospitality businesses, the courses are also available to the general public. They focus on:     

• Energy and climate action: For hospitality, efficient energy use and reducing greenhouse gases are steps towards more resilient operations. The industry can play an important role in the fight against climate change while also reducing operational costs. 
• Food management: In this area, adopting sustainable practices is key to minimizing waste, supporting local economies, and promoting healthier, more responsible consumption patterns.  
• Water efficiency: With water as an increasingly scarce resource in many parts of the world, these online courses will help hospitality businesses reduce wastage and boost efficiency.  
• Community engagement: Lastly, engaging with local communities is pivotal in fostering a model that empowers the very heart of tourism destinations – their people – while providing vibrant tourism experiences.  

All the courses are available on the UN Tourism Online Academy free of cost and offer the possibility of obtaining a certificate of completion for a symbolic fee. Access the courses here: 

• Your Journey to More Sustainable Energy Management 
• Your Journey to More Sustainable Food Management 
• Your Journey to More Sustainable Water Management 
• Your Journey to More Sustainable Community Engagement  

This online education initiative led by Booking.com supports the implementation of the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme which UN Tourism leads in collaboration with UNEP.  

Related Links

• Download News Release on PDF
• One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme