SCR, Armenian Tourism Federation sign Memorandum of Collaboration

ArmInfo.  The South Caucasus Railway (SCR) and the Armenian Tourism Federation signed a Memorandum of Collaboration. The document was signed by SCR Director Alexey Melnikov and Chairman of the Armenian Tourism Federation Mekhak Apresyan on November 5 in Yerevan.  Prior to signing the document, the parties discussed the outcomes of new joint initiatives to develop rail tourism in Armenia.

The Chairman of the Tourism Federation expressed confidence that the  collaboration with SCR will contribute to the development of tourism  in Armenia, increase its competitiveness, and expand regional  cooperation in this sector. According to Apresyan, they also aim to  extend the tourist season and intensify it during less active  periods. In turn,  Melnikov noted  that SCR has already carried over  450,000 passengers this year, including 40,000 on international  routes. He stated that they are striving to increase passenger  traffic and provide comfortable conditions for rail travel. In this  regard, he spoke about a new initiative to organize rail tours.

"This year, SCR, in collaboration with Gepard Express and Georgian  colleagues, developed a tourism product that allowed 200 European  tourists to spend three days in Armenia and four days in Georgia.  This journey allowed them to enjoy the beauty of both countries, with  the railway serving as a hotel on wheels, relieving the tourists of  the hassle of accommodation and travel," Melnikov said. He shared the  positive feedback  this new product has received from passengers and  expressed confidence that interest in Armenia as a tourist  destination will only grow. The SCR director also announced plans to  replicate similar routes on other routes. 

"Even representatives from South Africa and colleagues from Russian  Railways Tour have expressed interest in this project," Melnikov  added. The director of South Caucasus Railways clarified that six  passenger cars were used to implement this route, which, according to  him, is currently sufficient to provide comfortable travel for  tourists. "This technology has already been proven, allowing us to  roll out the product on a permanent basis. Therefore, we intend to  operate these routes year-round, given Armenia's climate, and also  include wine tours. The most important thing for us in continuing  this initiative is demand and interest," Melnikov concluded.