YEREVAN, Armenia — The American University of Armenia (AUA) Extension announces the opening of new businesses in three regions of Armenia: Tavush, Shirak, and Vayots Dzor. This has been made possible with support from the Turpanjian Rural Development Program (TRDP). To this date, AUA Extension has provided assistance to six rural entrepreneurs, training and mentoring them in their efforts to strengthen the eco-tourism and hospitality sectors in rural Armenia.
As a result, Ani Saghatelyan (Zaritap, Vayots Dzor), Gohar Baghdasaryan (Malishka, Vayots Dzor), Gurgen Iskandaryan (Krashen, Shirak), and Vahe Gabrielyan (Yenokavan, Tavush) have successfully established bed-and-breakfast (B&B) businesses in their respective communities. These B&Bs are suitably positioned to attract tourists and local visitors who travel to the region for hiking or sightseeing the monasteries, churches, and other touristic sights. The B&Bs have also gained popularity with families celebrating birthdays, graduation parties, and other family gatherings. In turn, these have created new business opportunities for local residents to market their organic food products to the B&Bs.
Additionally, two other TRDP beneficiaries have established and expanded their retail stores: Ararat Melikbekyan (Achajur, Tavush) successfully transformed his small retail store into a fully equipped supermarket. His business attracts a steady flow of customers due to its convenient location, high sanitary and hygienic conditions, and wide assortment of products. Another successful entrepreneur is Norayr Martirosyan (Shatin, Vayots Dzor), who has opened a retail store, Norayr, that carries seasonal products for local consumers and tourists. Located on a popular hiking route, Norayr sells organic honey and locally-produced agricultural products and memorabilia.
The Turpanjian Rural Development is a program managed by AUA Extension and dedicated to providing training, kick-off funding, and consultations to existing and startup businesses in the rural communities of Shirak, Tavush, and Vayots Dzor regions of Armenia. The program actively seeks proposals from new applicants who aim at starting their businesses.
