YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. “Armenia aims to exploit its ancient heritage – which includes a civilization that predates the Egyptian pyramids – and its wine-making expertise to further boost its nascent tourist industry”, Courtney Fingar – editor-in-chief of “fDi Magazine” writes about Armenia’s tourism attractiveness, reports “Armenpress”.

Fingar visited Armenia on December 1-2 at the invitation of the Development Foundation of Armenia.  

“When thinking of ancient places to visit, minds tend to focus on Athens, Rome or Egypt’s pyramids. The world’s oldest Christian nation with one of the world’s oldest cities does not often come to mind – and that is something Armenia intends to change”, Courtney Fingar writes.

Armenia’s Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan presented Fingar his country’s historical credentials. “We are one of the few oldest nations having statehood. Yerevan is 50 years older than Rome”, the PM said, adding that Armenians were first to adopt Christianity and they are one of the first nations to start typography.

Executive Director of the Development Foundation of Armenia Karen Mkrtchyan said: “Armenia has major tourism assets. We have a clean, unspoiled landscape and a diverse terrain, a fascinating cultural and historical heritage, fantastic food, brandy and wine, and unique religious tourism sites”.

Courtney Fingar also writes about Armenia’s rich winemaking traditions and recalled the fact that the oldest wine-making location in the world has been found in Armenia, in the caves at Areni. Fingar says Armenia has long had the right soil and water for wine making but had lost the aptitude for it, focusing instead on its world-famous brandy.

Photo from official website of Development Foundation of Armenia