Ethnic Tourism in Armenia

What is Ethnic Tourism?

Ethnic tourism is one of the youngest and least studied branches of tourism. Although it is a new branch, It is developing at a fast rate. Such a quick development is connected with technical development and globalization.The more technological development rises, the more humanity is seeking for exotic and traditional cultures. And ethnic tourism is for discovering such exotic cultures.

hile speaking about ethnic tourism we should understand what ethnic group means. Ethnic group is group of people who share the same genetic code and origin. Most often the culture, belief, language and traditions are also considered as distinctive features of an ethnic group. In ethnic tourism the ethnicity and tourism are in  close relations, where the ethnicity is presented as a tourism attraction.

Many researchers explain ethnic tourism as a tour during which the visitor has direct contact with the native people without any interference. They usually visit to get acquainted with the traditions, customs, different rituals and also the lifestyle.

But  tourism has a great impact on nationality. The most significant impact that it could have is that it can strengthen ethnic identity encouraging the ethnic culture, art and festivals. Tourism sometimes can promote the renaissance of the ethnic groups and it gives opportunity to some ethnic groups to show the world their unknown lifestyle.

The motives of ethnic tourism in Armenia

During their long history Armenians have created a lot of cultural values which got a wide appreciation and recognition in the modern world. As we already mentioned in ethnic tourism the aim of the tourists is discovering the culture and the traditions of an ethnic group so the  potential of Armenia in this sector is great. Let’s see some resources that will promote ethnic tourism in Armenia.

1․Armenian rituals and holidays

2․Music and Dance

3․Crafts: carpet weaving, miniature , cross stone making, woodworking and etc.

4․National costume

5․ Unique national musical instrument

6․ Cousine

7․ National minorities

The large Armenian diaspora population can also promote the development of ethnic tourism in Armenia. The visits of Armenians to their birthplace can form a great part in the development of ethnic tourism in Armenia. As  ethnic tourism also includes visits that are directed to roots, when the tourist returns to his birthplace to get acquainted to its national culture and traditions.

Ethnic Parks in Armenia

One of the important factors of developing ethnic tourism in Armenia are new ethnic infrastructures. It doesn’t suggest creation of new ethnic elements but it’s a union of all ethnic cultural elements. It is a creation of national ethnic parks. What are these ethnic parks? Although Armenians have rich traditions and history, now we can rarely meet people who live with ethnic lifestyle

This kind of an ethnic park is a union of all ethnic elements, a place where you can witness all the traditions, the lifestyle, rituals and ethnic symbols. An ethnic park could be any village or community which can be a tourism attraction just by living with traditional lifestyle. In the ethnic village the tourist not only gets acquainted with the lifestyle of the native people but he also becomes a part of it. Due to many games, ritual ceremonies and animation shows the tourists gets an idea of the traditions and customs of that ethnic group.

And why not have these parks in different regions of Armenia? This way we can provide a stable tourism development including not only cities but also regions. It also will give the opportunity to present Armenian ethnic culture mixed with different local traditions.

The creation of such ethnic parks will raise the living standards in the regions and villages. It will also solve the problem of unemployment. People have the opportunity to show their lifestyle to the tourist just by living with their traditions. That brings them a lot of income and leads to a developed economy.

And of course the greatest impact that these ethnic parks could have is that they can awaken and save the national self-consciousness among people.

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