06-05-2025
Armenia promotes year-round tourism, healthcare relations
Ashraf Siddiqui
Doha
Chairperson of Tourism Committee of Armenia Lucy Gevorguan has expressed her appreciation of Qatar as a beautiful country with state-of-the-art infrastructure, dynamic leadership, and a supportive environment for expatriates.
She was heading a 50-member delegation recently to enhance bilateral relations, with a particular focus on tourism, business, and government collaboration. During their stay, the Armenian Tourism Committee hosted a cultural presentation at the Armenian Embassy in Doha, showcasing Armenia as a unique four-season tourist destination.
Talking to Qatar Tribune, she said that their visit to Qatar follows Armenia's active participation in the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai, where they also held a series of high-level meetings and cultural events aimed at deepening ties between Armenia and the Gulf states.
Gevorguan said that in meetings with Qatari tour operators, travel agencies, Qatar Chamber of Commerce, and Tourism Board, the Armenian delegation presented strategic opportunities for cooperation. The team is also pursuing initiatives in medical tourism, emphasising Armenia's high-quality healthcare services—particularly in surgery, aesthetics, and dentistry—offered at significantly lower costs than in the Gulf region.
The Armenian side proposed further governmental cooperation, particularly between the Ministries of Health in both countries. An upcoming international conference in Yerevan on May 7 will bring together tour operators, healthcare providers, and insurance companies to support this initiative.
Plans are also underway to launch a digital platform that will integrate the medical tourism ecosystem, enabling users to select doctors, clinics, and travel options in one place.
She said that travel between Qatar and Armenia is becoming increasingly accessible, with direct flights operating weekly. Qatari citizens and residents with Schengen or US visas can now travel to Armenia without a visa. Other residents can apply for a visa online, with swift processing available.
According to the chairperson of the Tourism Committee of Armenia, around 10,000 tourists from the UAE visited Armenia last year, and similar outreach is being extended to Qatar.
She also expressed interest in welcoming Qatari business and government representatives to Armenia to explore partnership opportunities firsthand. Familiarization (FAM) trips for influencers and tourism stakeholders are being considered as part of this effort.
While in Qatar, the Armenian delegation also engaged with the local Armenian community and explored cultural sites such as Katara Cultural Village. Of note is 'Mamik', a renowned Armenian restaurant in Doha, founded by a long-standing Armenian resident, and known for its authentic cuisine and warm hospitality.
Armenia, located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, continues to build its global reputation not only as a cultural and touristic gem but also as a hub for innovation in healthcare, architecture, and craftsmanship, Gevorguan concluded.
