Current State of Agro-Tourism and Development Preconditions in Armenia

Abstract

Agrotourism is developing very fast worldwide, and Armenia is not left out of those rates of development. There are serious preconditions for the development of agro-tourism in Armenia. This study aims to reveal the current state of agro-tourism, outlining the development preconditions in Armenia, particularly the role of PR in the development of this field. To collect the necessary information, we used the methods of expert and in-depth interviews, document analysis and viewing. The studied data refer to gastro-houses, house-studios, adventure tourism and other interesting directions of agro-tourism, which were spread in the Republic of Armenia until the first half of 2020 and were in different regions, in particular: Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor, Shirak, Lori, Kotayk, Tavush, Aragatsotn, Ararat. The results of the research allow us to conclude that: • Agro-tourism has prospects for development in Armenia; • Agro-tourism can contribute to the development of different villages and communities in the Republic of Armenia; • Planning PR campaigns is a necessary precondition for development; • The lack of a common tourism platform in the Republic of Armenia hinders the development. • The expansion of packages offering rural tourism by Armenian tour operators will contribute to development. • It is possible to create a network of guest houses, which will include only the ones that are engaged in agro-tourism.