Armenia is preparing for a large-scale transformation of its regional tourism infrastructure. As announced in Parliament on November 4 by Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan, the government has reached an agreement with the World Bank on a five-year loan program amounting to $100 million. This funding is earmarked for establishing ten tourism clusters across the country.
While the tourism development strategy is still under active discussion, key locations for the clusters have already been identified, including Goris, Yeghegis, Areni, Jermuk, Aparan, Gyumri, Dvin, Dilijan, and Sevan. Investments will focus on targeted systems and infrastructure improvements in these areas.
As a successful example of ongoing projects, the minister cited the transformation of the Marmashen Monastery complex in the Shirak region. Two years ago, the area was difficult to access, but due to efforts by the Ministry, the road has been repaired, pedestrian zones have been established, and conditions have been created to support small businesses.
“Today, this is not just an accessible monastery complex but also a family-friendly recreational site where visitors can enjoy views of the Akhuryan River and engage with historical and cultural landmarks,” the minister emphasized.
