Turkish resorts favored by Armenians
A great number of Armenian tourists head to Turkey`s
recreation centers, according to the Armenia office director of a
leading Russian tourism company, Tez Tour.
Narine Davtian said the desire to rest at a seaside resort has overshadowed their hate for the Turks. Thus, 8,000 tourists from Armenia are expected to visit Antalya by the end of 2009.
Armavia Airlines is carrying out four flights a week from Yerevan to the Turkish resort city. The flights are so booked that there are no seats left on the airplane, Davtian said.
``I love my country, but let`s not mix tourism with politics,`` she added.
However, the nationalist Dashnaksutyun Party is opposed to Armenians flocking to Turkey`s tourism centers. Its representatives have appealed to the mayor`s office of Yerevan demanding that posters advertising recreation in Antalya be withdrawn from the city`s streets.
Arutyun Melikian, a Dashnaksutyun activist, has called on his fellow countrymen to rest in Armenia instead.
``The money being channeled into Turkey`s armament and strengthening should stay in the country and our motherland should strengthen.``
Of note, the Dashnaks have found unordinary posters saying ``Armenians resting in Antalya are arming the Turkish military.``
Many residents of the Armenian capital have welcomed the nationalists` move.
Armenia and Turkey have been at odds and the border between the two countries has been closed since 1993 on Ankara`s insistence due to Armenia`s policy of occupation of Azerbaijani territory and Armenian genocide claims.
Vacationing in Armenia is much more expensive than that in Turkey. Thus, spending a week in Jermukh, one of the country`s major recreation centers, costs $700, compared to only $450 in Antalya.
Narine Davtian said the desire to rest at a seaside resort has overshadowed their hate for the Turks. Thus, 8,000 tourists from Armenia are expected to visit Antalya by the end of 2009.
Armavia Airlines is carrying out four flights a week from Yerevan to the Turkish resort city. The flights are so booked that there are no seats left on the airplane, Davtian said.
``I love my country, but let`s not mix tourism with politics,`` she added.
However, the nationalist Dashnaksutyun Party is opposed to Armenians flocking to Turkey`s tourism centers. Its representatives have appealed to the mayor`s office of Yerevan demanding that posters advertising recreation in Antalya be withdrawn from the city`s streets.
Arutyun Melikian, a Dashnaksutyun activist, has called on his fellow countrymen to rest in Armenia instead.
``The money being channeled into Turkey`s armament and strengthening should stay in the country and our motherland should strengthen.``
Of note, the Dashnaks have found unordinary posters saying ``Armenians resting in Antalya are arming the Turkish military.``
Many residents of the Armenian capital have welcomed the nationalists` move.
Armenia and Turkey have been at odds and the border between the two countries has been closed since 1993 on Ankara`s insistence due to Armenia`s policy of occupation of Azerbaijani territory and Armenian genocide claims.
Vacationing in Armenia is much more expensive than that in Turkey. Thus, spending a week in Jermukh, one of the country`s major recreation centers, costs $700, compared to only $450 in Antalya.
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