From September 11 to 13, Armenia will become the center of international wine tourism as it hosts the prestigious UN World Conference on Wine Tourism, organized by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
This event will attract over 100 participants from around 40 countries, who will gather to explore Armenia's rich winemaking history and the country's tourism potential.
During a press conference on September 4, Sona Hovhannisyan, Head of the International Cooperation Department at the Tourism Committee of Armenia's Ministry of Economy, outlined the conference's program.
"In addition to the official opening, participants will be treated to an extensive educational program. We will present Armenia's wine history and the opportunities for wine tourism in detail. Special emphasis will be placed on engaging local winemakers, who will share their experiences and showcase the country's winemaking heritage," noted Hovhannisyan.
A highlight of the conference will be a visit to the Areni-1 cave, the world's oldest known winery, underscoring Armenia's unique place in the history of winemaking.
Zaruhi Muradyan, Executive Director of the Vine and Wine Foundation of Armenia, emphasized the significance of this event in positioning Armenia as a winemaking country on the global stage. "The winemaking sector in Armenia has been experiencing a renaissance over the past 15 years. Major events like this are crucial for our promotion," said Muradyan.
The organizers are placing special emphasis on working with media representatives, for whom a separate program has been prepared. The goal is to help journalists uncover the potential of wine tourism and winemaking in Armenia, thereby contributing to the country's broader international recognition in this field.
Conference participants will have the opportunity to experience the uniqueness of Armenian wines, crafted from indigenous grape varieties. "Armenia is rich in autochthonous grape varieties, and our winemakers focus on these, creating distinctive, high-quality wines," noted Zaruhi Muradyan.
