Interview with Varsenik Poghosyan, director and co-founder of the Aragast Travel agency

exceptional culture, landscapes and a warm welcome

How would you characterise your agency?

Varsenik Poghosyan - We've been in business for five years and our team is mainly French-speaking, so we're perfectly suited to our market, which is France, Belgium and Switzerland. This year, we handled 35 groups, including around 10 % business tourism groups. We had the UN, for example, and Ariane Espace...

When you present Armenia to your customers, what assets do you highlight?

Varsenik Poghosyan - In practical terms, we have daily direct flights of just over four hours from France. What's more, entry to the country is now visa-free. As far as the country itself is concerned, we would highlight its exceptional culture, its landscapes and, of course, the extremely warm welcome that Armenians extend to their visitors.

In terms of business tourism, do you feel that the infrastructure, particularly hotel facilities, is sufficient?

Varsenik Poghosyan - Of course, that wasn't always the case, but now the big names - Marriott, Hilton, Radisson Blu - are present in Yerevan. For smaller groups, we also have quite a few boutique hotels.

What is your typical programme?

Varsenik Poghosyan - It's cultural, of course. Which we always combine with other interesting elements, whether it's a visit to a wine cellar, a carpet factory or a cookery workshop in a local's home. On a four- or five-day programme, which is almost always the case for incentives, we also offer short walks in the countryside, particularly in the Garni region. Our programmes always start with a visit to the capital, followed by a discovery of Etchmiadzine, the religious capital, because as you know, Armenia is the first officially Christian nation in the world. Five days is a short time, but it's enough to get to the heart of the matter.