Tourism
Community Development NGO has dedicated significant efforts to promoting and enhancing tourism development in the Vayots Dzor region. The area’s rich history, culture, and natural beauty hold vast potential, not only for boosting the local economy but also for creating long-term opportunities for sustainable community development.
Tourism Development Department: Activities and Programs
Since the 2010s, the Community Development NGO has operated a Tourism Development Department, whose professional team has implemented a range of initiatives. These include the Black Sea project of the Silk Road, the creation of the Visit Vayots Dzor blog, as well as the development of informational materials and booklets about the region’s products and brands, such as honey, Jermuk mineral water, Areni wine, cheese, and medicinal herbs.
The Tourism Development Department has also organized the creation of a comprehensive information database on tourism service providers, craft and art centers, and cultural heritage sites.
Founding of Eurasia Travel Agency
Building on years of experience, in August 2016, the Community Development NGO established the Eurasia Travel Agency (ETA) as a social enterprise. Its mission was to support local tourism initiatives, develop high-quality tourism services, and create economic opportunities for the local population.
The agency provided a wide range of services, including:
- Organizing cultural and educational excursions across Armenia, Georgia, and the Black Sea region
- Booking accommodation and hospitality services
- Arranging guided tours led by qualified and experienced professionals
Promoting Awareness Through the “Visit Vayots Dzor” Blog
To improve access to tourism information, the NGO launched the Visit Vayots Dzor Blog, which served as a comprehensive online guide to the region’s cultural, historical, and natural landmarks, as well as accommodation, dining, and other essential visitor services.
The blog also regularly featured updates on festivals, events, and local initiatives, making it an important source of information for both domestic and international travelers.
Vayots Dzor Tourism Guide and Map
Community Development NGO developed a detailed Tourism Guide to showcase the region’s must-see attractions and provide practical information for travelers.
The guide included:
- Highlights of Vayots Dzor’s cultural, historical, and natural landmarks
- Recommendations for curated tours designed by local guides
- Listings of hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, and cafes
The guide was designed for both local visitors and international tourists, offering an accessible resource for exploring the region.
Training Local Tour Guides
An essential part of enhancing tourism quality was the Local Tour Guides Training Program, implemented in 2013 with the support of USAID/EDMC.
Through this five-month training and field-based learning program, 15 young participants from Vayots Dzor gained in-depth knowledge of the region’s history, culture, and natural attractions.
The program aimed to improve the professional skills of local guides, enabling them to deliver high-quality services to visitors. These trained guides also helped tourists discover hidden gems — lesser-known but equally captivating destinations — significantly boosting tourism development across the region.
Turning Local Potential into a Driver of Development
The work carried out by the “Community Development” NGO in the tourism sector is a clear example of how local potential can be transformed into a driver of development by combining community participation, social entrepreneurship models, and international expertise.
These initiatives have consistently contributed to increasing the visibility of Vayots Dzor, activating communities, and promoting long-term socio-economic development.