Problematic Schengen visa appointment process risks jeopardizing outbound tourism, direct flights -travel agencies warn

YEREVAN, JUNE 13, ARMENPRESS. As more and more direct flights are being launched to Yerevan from various European cities, Armenian tourists are facing the problematic Schengen visa procedure. The problem seems to be so grave that travel agencies and tour operators are calling on authorities to step in and offer support because the issue risks jeopardizing the newly launched flights.

Travel agencies say that it is impossible to book an appointment for visa application in European embassies.

Amistad travel agency is the official representative of AirBaltic in Armenia.In May 2023, direct flights from Riga to Yerevan were restored after 13 years.

Amistad founding director Armine Adamyan said that travelers who want to visit Baltic states are unable to book an appointment for visa.

“We are getting calls from travel agencies saying that they have customers who want to travel to Baltic countries but it is impossible to book an appointment in the embassies. It’s up to the embassy whether or not they’ll get a visa, but today it’s even impossible to book an appointment date for travelers to submit their papers. It turns out that there are direct flights only for those of our citizens who have visas, or those who are traveling from Baltic countries to Armenia. This certainly isn’t enough to maintain direct flights,” Adamyan said.

Meanwhile, Avarayr travel agency director Arkady Sahakyan voiced another related problem.

“Representatives of travel agencies plan to travel to Europe in September to participate in a tourism expo. You can book an appointment in the embassy only in November. Can you imagine, the expo is in September but you get an appointment for November. This bizarre situation is also a blow to the process of representation at international tourism expos,” Sahakyan said.

Armenian Tourism Federation President Mekhak Apresyan highlighted the importance of direct flights in terms of tourism development, but noted that the problems with Schengen visas create difficulties.

“All our efforts are in vain if people can’t book an appointment date at the embassies for applying for a visa. We call on our friendly European country embassies to pay attention to this issue. If there’s demand then it is necessary to take steps, increase the number of employees. After all, our citizens are having their contribution in the tourism of the given country. Otherwise, given the difficulties, our citizens prefer the countries where there’s no issue of getting a visa,” Apresyan said.

The travel agencies also expect government support.