News
22 April 2008Armenian Second Tourism Cluster Competitiveness Conference
SECOND ARMENIAN TOURISM COMPETITIVENESS CONFERENCE
Meeting New Industry Challenges & Markets
The Ministry of Trade and Economic Development, USAID-funded Competitive Armenian Private Sector Project (CAPS) and Armenian Tourism Development Agency are organizing the Second Armenian Tourism Competitiveness Conference, which will take place at Ani Plaza hotel, Ani hall, on Tuesday, May 6, 2008.
The conference will focus on a range of industry-related issues such as country branding and marketing, tourism and hospitality workforce skills, cost competitiveness, and cluster strengthening initiatives etc - all with the notion of meeting new challenges and markets. Presentations will include reports on: Armenia's ranking and scores in the 2nd Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (providing also a comparison of results with neighboring countries); the competitiveness of Armenia's air transportation based on recent analysis; the results from a tourism and hospitality workforce skills and knowledge needs analysis; and conclusions from the International Visitor Survey 2007-2008.
Presentations will also be made concerning the recent, ongoing and future activities of Armenia's tourism-related associations.
The conference is open to all stakeholders, tourism professionals and anyone involved and/or interested in the tourism industry in Armenia. Expected attendees include Government representatives, tour operators, guides, travel agents, service providers, educational institutions, transportation providers, industry associations etc.
Attendance at the conference is free of charge. However, the participants are requested to register either online (see left side registration link) or by calling Taguhi Sahakyan at CAPS on 010-53-86-58/ 50-03-33. The deadline for registration is April 30, 2008.
Conference Draft Agenda
Tuesday 6 May 2008
09:00 Registration
10:00 Opening Speeches
US Embassy or USAID
CAPS Chief of Party
10:15 KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Government Tourism Strategy and Action Plan Development
Ministry of Trade and Economic Development
10:35 State of Armenia's Tourism Industr
Mekhak Apresyan, Head of Tourism Department, Ministry of Trade and Economic Development
10:55 ATDA Activities in the Past Year and Upcoming Events for Armenia's Tourism
Industry
Syuzanna Azoyan, Marketing Director, ATDA
11:15 Questions and Answers to Presenters
11:30 Coffee Break
11:50 KEYNOTE SPEAKER
How Country Brand Management Can Provide a Competitive Identity to Benefit
Tourism
Susan Warren, CAPS Branding Consultant
12:20 Conclusions from the International Visitor Survey 2007-2008
Armine Yeghiazaryan, Marketing Specialist, CAPS
12:40 Evaluation of Armenia's Ranking & Scores in the 2nd Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index - Comparing Results with Neighbouring Countries
Manuk Hergnyan, Director, Economy and Values Research Centre (EV)
13:00 Questions and Answers to Presenters
13:15 Buffet Lunch
14:30 Competitiveness of Armenia's Air Transportation - Results of Industry Analysis
Arsen Nazaryan, Policy & Legal Advisor, CAPS
14:50 Upgrading Skills & Knowledge in Armenia's Tourism & Hospitality Workforce - Results of Gap Analysis and Survey
Marina Poghosyan, Business Development Specialist, CAPS Project
15:10 Are Armenian Prices Too High - Analysis of Flight, Accommodation and Travel Service Costs for Tourists from Armenia's Major Markets
Alan Saffery, Senior Competitiveness Expert, CAPS Project
15:30 Strengthening Armenia's Tourism Cluster - Recent & Ongoing CAPS Activities
Armine Israyelyan, Tourism Cluster Coordinator, CAPS Project
15:50 Questions & Answers to Presenters
16:05 Coffee Break
16:20 News from Associations
Union of Incoming Tour Operators - Robert Minasyan, Executive Director
Armenian Guides Guild - Svetlana Sargsyan, President
Armenian Hotel Association - Hakob Hakobyan, President
Board of Airline Representatives of Armenia - Simon Avagyan, President
Armenian Restaurants Association - Stepan Panosian, President
Presentations on the status, goals and activities of Armenia's tourism-related
Associations
17:00 Questions and Answers to Presenters
17:15 Closing Remarks
