Armenia Marriott Hosed Inaugural Press Tour
A Showcase for the Hotel and to Promote Tourism
BOSTON, MA, December 15, 2005. In September 2005, the Armenia Marriott Hotel, Yerevan hosted its first press trip comprised of eight journalists from the Unites States, Canada and Europe writing for top tier media outlets such as Copley News Service, TIME Magazine, Toronto Globe & Mail, Elle D'ecor, and the South China Morning Post. The "Discover Armenia Press Trip" was the culmination of a yearlong public relations campaign designed to showcase Armenia as an emerging world travel destination for upscale consumer and business travelers.
AK Development, the Boston-based investor group behind the Armenia Marriott, a project being lead by Managing Director Paul Korian, conducted a Boston and New York City media tour in July 2005 that included desk side visits with editors at major media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Travel & Leisure and the Robb Report, as well as two dinner presentations, which drew over 30 qualified freelance travel journalists.
"The development of the hotel and the work we have done since its completion to promote Armenia as a destination for sophisticated travelers is truly a labor of love for the investment group. We recognize that tourism is a powerful engine for economic change and overall improvements for the people of Armenia," said Paul Korian, managing director of AK Development. "Our recent press trip was a huge step towards Armenia's future as a mainstream travel destination."
Lufthansa Airlines recently expanded its route network to include a direct flight from Munich to Yerevan, sighting above-average market growth in Eastern Europe as the driving force behind adding the destination to their timetable. Lufthansa partnered with the Armenia Marriott as a sponsor of the September press trip.
The trip itinerary included a private meeting with the Catholicos, leader of the Armenian Apostolic Church, at Echmiadzin; a visit to Tsitsernakaberd, site of the Genocide Memorial and Museum; a tasting and tour at the Ararat Brandy Factory; a daytrip to Lake Sevan and the church of St. Gregory; and a traditional Armenian dinner with music and dancing at Old Erevan Restaurant.
AK Development and Marriott International remain committed to the process of educating travel editors about the Hotel and Armenia's emerging tourism industry. The group has plans to continue its marketing campaign and looks forward to hosting future media events with the goal of driving tourism to Armenia.
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