The Armenian Association of Professional Tourist Guides organized a beautiful series of events on the occasion of the Tourist Guide Day on February 21.

An interesting panel discussion took place in the "Panoramic" hall of Ani Grand Hotel. The title was "Wine Tourism: 6,100 shades of Armenia".

About 180 guests attended the discussion, among them were tour guides, tour operators, representatives of wineries and wine gastro yards. The attendees were welcomed by Yasha Solomonyan (President of the Armenian Association of Professional Tourist Guides), Sisian Boghossian (Chairman of Tourism Committee of the Ministry of Economy of the RA) and Seda Aghbalyan (Head of the Tourism Department of the Culture and Tourism Department of the Yerevan Municipality).

A meaningful discussion was held about the posibilities of developing wine tourism in Armenia and presenting the country as an ancient cradle of wine to tourists. The speakers were: Sisian Boghossian, Chairman of the Tourism Committee, Artak Gabrielyan , Ph.D., Associate Professor, viticulture and winemaking specialist, Zarouhi Muradian, Director of Armenian Viticulture and Winemaking Foundation, Sirvard Amatuni, Advisor for the private sector development and Tecnical Vocational Education and Training South Caucasus programme implemented by GIZ, and Lilit Grigoryan, President of "Wines of Armenia", NGO. The discussions of the day once again proved that Armenia, being an ancient center of winemaking, had a great potential for developing wine tourism.

The discussion was followed by the ceremony "Armenian Tourist Guide's Choice Award"ceremony organized for the first time by the Armenian Association of Professional Tourist Guides, during which awards were given to various entrepreneurs of the tourism sector in eight categories, as a result of the closed voting of the tourist guide members of the association.

After the panel discussion the guests had an opportunity to participate in Wine Exhibition in "Areni" Hall of Ani Grand Hotel, where the representatives of more than twenty wineries and gastro yards were present, introducing their packages and service. The service offered by "Wine Casino" was unique in its kind.

At the same time, the annual tradition of a series of free excursions “Let's go to Yerevan" started from the Republic Square. Thanks to these excursions more than 200 Yerevan residents discovered our capital city in a new way, accompanied by the tourist guides of the AAPTG.

This beautiful project is implemented with the support of the Tourism Department of Yerevan Municipality and Busvoyage Company every year.

In the evening, the gala party for the members of the AAPTG and guests was held at the "Felinger" Hotel. The evening was full of surprises and gifts.

We would like to thank our sponsor partners: Ani Grand Hotel, GIZ, Wines of Armenia NGO, VINE AND WINE FOUNDATION OF ARMENIA, Busvoyage Company, Felinger Hotel and Azaria Winery, Inspire Chocolate, Family Care Foundation Armenian Ceramics, Felinger Hotel Spa Centrе, Machar restaurant and Linopatum for the surprise gifts.