ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT AND MARKET
COMPETITIVENESS (EDMC)
TATEV TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AREA INTERDISCIPLINARY
ARCHITECTURAL AND COMMUNITY DESIGN PLAN
February 17, 2014
This document was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was
prepared by the USAID Enterprise Development and Market Competitiveness Project implemented by The
Pragma1 Corporation and its partners.
ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT AND MARKET
COMPETITIVENESS PROJECT
TATEV TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AREA INTERDISCIPLINARY
ARCHITECTURAL AND COMMUNITY DESIGN PLAN
February 17, 2014
Contract Number:
AID-111-C-11-00001
USAID COTR:
Diana Avetyan
Chief of Party:
Bruno Cornelio
Developed by:
James Jessamine
The author’s views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United
States Agency for International Development or the United States Government.
2
Table of Contents
1. BACKGROUND .......................................................................................................................... 6
1.1 General ............................................................................................................................. 6
1.3 Related Studies ................................................................................................................ 7
2. STUDY AREA ............................................................................................................................ 7
2.1 General ............................................................................................................................. 7
2.2 Population......................................................................................................................... 8
Table 2.1: Study area population and potential workforce…………………………………………...…9
2.3 Tourist Accommodation .................................................................................................... 9
2.4 Infrastructure................................................................................................................... 10
3. Visitor Carrying Capacity .......................................................................................................... 13
3.1 General ........................................................................................................................... 13
Table 3.1: Visitor capacity criteria............................................................................................................13
3.2 Visitor Capacity ............................................................................................................... 14
3.3 Road Capacity ................................................................................................................ 14
Table 3.2: Tourist Access Estimates.......................................................................................................16
3.4 Cable Car ....................................................................................................................... 16
3.5 Summary and Implications .............................................................................................. 17
4. Visitor Demand, Accommodation Projections and Positioning .................................................. 17
5. Tatev Village Master Plan ......................................................................................................... 20
5.1 General ........................................................................................................................... 20
5.2 Proposed Tatev Master Plan........................................................................................... 20
5.3 Possible Development Packages .................................................................................... 24
6. Village Proposals ...................................................................................................................... 26
6.1 General ........................................................................................................................... 26
6.2 Urban Design Improvements .......................................................................................... 26
6.3 Bardzravan Village .......................................................................................................... 27
6.4 Kashuni Village Proposals.……………………………………………………………………..29
6.5 Halidzor Village Proposals……………………………………………………………………...30
6.6 Khot Village Proposals…………………………………………………………………………..30
6.7 Aghvani Village Proposals………………………………………………………………………32
6.8 Shinuhayr Village Proposals ........................................................................................... 33
6.9 Tandzatap Village Proposals…………………………………………………………………...34
6.10 Svarants Village ............................................................................................................ 36
7. Potential Tourism Projects ........................................................................................................ 38
7.1 Tourism Training School ................................................................................................. 38
3
7.2 Halidzor Tourism Information Centre .............................................................................. 39
7.3 Tatev Conference and Meetings Centre:......................................................................... 40
7.4 Tatev Well-Being Centre:………………………………………………………………………..41
7.5 University of Tatev .......................................................................................................... 43
7.6 Visitor Reception Area and Toilets .................................................................................. 44
7.7 Village Accommodation .................................................................................................. 45
8. Infrastructure Proposals............................................................................................................ 47
8.1 Access Infrastructure Improvement ................................................................................. 47
8.2 Solid waste collection and disposal ................................................................................. 48
8.3 Sewage Treatment.......................................................................................................... 49
Table 8.1: Typical septic tank dimensions and capacities……………………………………………..51
8.5 Mapping and Signage ..................................................................................................... 52
X. Next Steps ............................................................................................................................... 54
X. References............................................................................................................................... 55
Annex A: Terms of Reference ...................................................................................................... 56
Table of Figures
Figure: The Study Area Villages .....................................................................................................8
Figure 3.1: Tatev Access Road…………………………………………………………………………...15
Figure 3.2: Distribution of Accommodation ...................................................................................18
Figure 5.2: Proposed Tatev Development Plan ............................................................................22
Figure 5.3: Photomontage of Hillside Café ...................................................................................23
Figure 5.4: Tatev Interpretative Centre .........................................................................................23
Figure 5.5: Possible development packages .................................................................................25
Figure 6.1: Bardzravan outline proposals ......................................................................................28
Figure 6.2: Bardzravan Caravanserai, interior ...............................................................................29
Figure 6.3: Halidzor conceptual proposals .....................................................................................30
Figure 6.4: Khot Village .................................................................................................................31
Figure 6.5: Old Khot Village ...........................................................................................................32
Figure 6.6: Aghvani .......................................................................................................................33
Figure 6.7: Shinuhayr concept .......................................................................................................34
Figure 6.8: Tandzatap Village Square ...........................................................................................35
4
Figure 6.9: Tandzatap conceptual plan ..........................................................................................35
Figure 6.10: Svarants, concept plan……………………………………………………………………...36
Figure 6.11: Potential Bed and Breakfast restoration .....................................................................37
Figure 7.1: Tourism Training School, Conceptual Plan ..................................................................38
Figure 7.2: Tourism Information Centre .........................................................................................39
Figure 7.3: Tatev Conference and Meeting Centre ........................................................................41
Figure 7.4: Proposed Tatev Health and Well-being Pavilion, Conceptual Design…………………..42
Figure 7.5: University of Tatev .......................................................................................................43
Figure 7.6: Tourist Reception Area..................................................................................................44
Figure 7.7: Village Hostel Unit .......................................................................................................46
Figure 8.1: Khot development concept…………………………………………………………………..47
Figure 8.2: Solid waste disposal hierarchy.....................................................................................49
Figure 8.3: Section through a typical pre-cast concrete septic tank…………………………………..50
Figure 8.4: Example of pre-cast concrete septic tank………………………………………………….51
5
1. BACKGROUND
1.1 General
This report represents the output of James Jessamine, Tourism/Architectural Expert, and
consultant to the Pragma Corporation under its contract with the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID); Contract No.AID-111-C-11-00001 entitled “Enterprise
Development and Market Competitiveness (EDMC) Project in Armenia”.
The specified outputs to this assignment are as set out in the ‘Scope of Work’, which are appended
as Annex A of this report. The specific objectives are to:


Assist the Tatev community in identifying tourism products consistent with the objective
of developing the destination and community-approved architectural design with a focus
on faith-based tourism, as well as having the area as a retreat for those craving the
natural, healthy and holistic, and .
Develop unique interdisciplinary Architecture & Community Design Plan.
In preparing this report the Consultant has reviewed all available inputs to the study including work
completed by the Destination Management and Branding Experts.
1.1 Definitions
The definitions of terms used in this report are United Nations World Tourism Organisation and are
based on Standard International Classification of Tourism Activities (SICTA) and conform to the
third revision of the International Standard Industrial Classification of all Economic Activities (ISIC).
These are as described below:

Tourism: Tourism is defined as the activities of persons travelling to and staying in places
outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure,
business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from
within the place visited. The use of this broad concept makes it possible to identify tourism
between countries as well as tourism within a country. "Tourism" refers to all activities of
visitors, including both "tourists (overnight visitors)" and "same-day visitors".

Arrivals: Arrivals cannot be assumed to be equal to the number of persons travelling.
When a person visits the same country several times a year, an equal number of arrivals is
recorded. Likewise, if a person visits several countries during the course of a single trip,
his/her arrival in each country is recorded separately. Arrivals associated with inbound
tourism correspond to those arrivals by international visitors within the economic territory of
the country of reference and include both tourists and same-day non-resident visitors.
Overnight stays and length of stay: Figures on overnight stays refer to the number of
nights spent by non-resident tourists in hotels and similar establishments, or in all types of

6


tourism accommodation establishments. If one person travels to a country and spends five
nights there, that makes five tourists overnight stays.
Expenditure in the country of origin: Tourism expenditure data are obtained from the
item "travel receipts" of the balance of payments of each country and correspond to the
"expenditure of non-resident visitors (tourists and same-day visitors)" within the economic
activity of the country of reference.
Domestic Tourism: Overnight stays can also be referred to as the number of nights by
resident tourists in hotels and similar establishments, or in all types of tourism
accommodation establishments.
1.3 Related Studies
Reference is made to a number of other studies which have been carried out for the study area
and at a regional and national level.
2. STUDY AREA
2.1 General
The study area covers some nine villages developed along the northern and southern edges of the
Vorotan River Gorge in the southern province of Syunik. The gorge is around 300 metres deep and
up to three kilometres wide providing a dramatic setting to the area. Until recently the settlements
on the southern side of the Vorotan were comparatively isolated with access by tourists to the area
limited. In late 2010 with the completion of a 5.7 kilometre long cableway, ‘The Wings of Tatev’,
spanning between Halidzor and Tatev the area has become more accessible to visitors. With ninth
century Tatev Monastery as the key attraction and development anchor a series of studies and
initiatives have been launched to develop the wider area as a tourism destination and arrest its
progressive economic decline and depopulation.
The area is rich in cultural, historic and natural assets with may be employed in the development of
tourism and in particular the development of attractions for visitors. Although the Vorotan River
Gorge has been a hugely significant site in Armenian history there and the scenery of the area is
magnificent it has until now remained largely unexploited for tourism and leisure, indeed many of
its key potential assets were allowed to degrade and much of its traditional urban fabric was
destroyed or abandoned, albeit with the intention of improving residents’ living conditions or
improving economic performance. With the partial exception of Svarants all of the other villages in
the study area were constructed during the 1960’s and 70’s when villagers were moved from older
settlements on the valley floor and gorge sides to new planed settlements overlooking the river.
With this undoubtedly improved living conditions the resulting new villages, which although
planned, were somewhat uniform in appearance and of questionable aesthetic merit. Since the
dissolution of the Soviet Union and the financial crises that followed little has been invested in
these villages the physical maintenance of these settlements and much of the basic infrastructure
7
is in a poor state of repair with roads, drainage and sewage now generally requiring urgent
attention. As a result of the local economic situation the plight of these villages has been
exacerbated by high levels of depopulation and with an aging resident population. This population
fall, which is reported to be as high as 50% is some other Armenian towns, has resulted in
substantial numbers of unoccupied or abandoned buildings whose deteriorating condition further
reduces the appearance and amenity of the area. As well as the new villages remnants remain of
the original villages within the gorge itself and evidencing a unique urban form, traditional
architecture and farming patterns.
Figure: The Study Area Villages
2.2 Population
From available 20011 census data it has been determined that the total population of the study
area is 6,197. It should be noted that the population has in all likelihood fallen further since that
date due to continuing migration and a relatively aging population base in the area. The
2011National Statistical yearbook indicated a national average population growth rate of -0.4%,
indicating that the area’s population may fall to, or below, 6,100 in 2014. Statistics indicate that the
average economic activity rate for the Marz is 32% this indicates a total workforce of just under
2000 from which we may draw a percentage, say 20% or 400 persons. The distribution of this
population through the area’s nine villages is set out below in Table 2.1
8
1.1
1.2
Name
1.3
Population
1.4
Active Pop
1.5
1
1.6
Aghvani
1.7
88
1.8
28
1.9
2
1.10
Bardzravan
1.11
175
1.12
56
1.13
3
1.14
Khot
1.15
1079
1.16
345
1.17
4
1.18
Halidzor
1.19
707
1.20
226
1.21
5
1.22
Shinuhayr
1.23
2866
1.24
917
1.25
6
1.26
Svarants
1.27
270
1.28
86
1.29
7
1.30
Tatev
1.31
892
1.32
285
1.33
8
1.34
Tandzatap
1.35
100
1.36
32
1.37
9
1.38
Kashuni
1.39
20
1.40
6
1.42
Total
1.43
6197
1.44
1983
1.41
Table 2.1: Study area population and potential workforce
As can be seen from the above table the population of the study is very low and unevenly
distributed through the area with the largest settlement, Shinuhayr, with a population of 2,866 and
the smallest in Kashuni with only 20 inhabitants. It is clear that the distribution of the potential
workforce is not directly related to the attraction of a particular locale and that elements of the
required workforce for top attraction such as Tatev will have to be sourced from neighbouring
villages or the sub-regional centre in Goris in order to support and service the tourism sector.
Given the size of Tatev, its role as the key tourist attraction and the low active population, which is
probably well below the regional average the available labour pool to service tourist development
is probably around 200 persons. While this may be sufficient to service small scale initial
developments growth of the sector will necessitate that labour is sourced from the major study
area settlements of Khot and Shinuhayr or Goris. This labour movement will, of course, place
demands on the area’s transport capacity.
2.3 Tourist Accommodation
There is at the moment little tourism accommodation in the study are, as a consequence the
overwhelming majority of visitors to the Tatev are day-trippers, or excursionists, both domestic and
international originating either in the Yerevan urban area of utilizing the nearby town of Goris as a
service and accommodation base. Within the study area there is some limited bed and breakfast
accommodation in Shinuhayr while efforts have been made to establish a small campsite adjacent
to the cable station at Halidzor. Within the gorge itself a new hotel, which appears to be of around
a 20-bedroom capacity, is being constructed at the Devil’s Bridge on the western edge of the study
area.
9
The number of overnight visitors to the southern villages, including Tatev, is reported to be very
low. In Tatev itself a total of three Bed and Breakfast establishments offer a total of 12 rooms to
visitors. In Bardzravan villagers reported that in 2012 only two tourist groups, some 12 tourists in
total, visited the village and that a they were temporarily accommodated in an informal camping
area with no facilities or services.
2.4 Infrastructure
While access to the area has been improved to the area with the completion of the Cableway and
the improvement of roads up to a beyond Halidzor general levels of infrastructure provision and
municipal services within the study area are often very poor and require to be upgraded in order to
facilitate the development of tourism.
Local Road Network
As has been already noted all of the villages within the study area were reconstructed on new sites
through the 60’s and 70’s. On completion these settlements had, it is believed, generally good
access and services and good road access. There remains, in some locations, clear evidence that
roads were often tarmacked and had an integrated road drainage network. Since their construction
however low levels of maintenance, and more generally a lack of investment, has seen these
roadways deteriorate to their present poor condition where the original surfaced road has
effectively been totally eroded leaving only a compacted gravel running course which is often
heavily potholed and uneven. With a large proportion of traffic on these roads being heavy goods
and agricultural equipment the driving surface is deteriorating at an accelerating pace and in some
locations is more suitable for 4X4 vehicles.
There is a clear need to repair and upgrade road access throughout the area not only to improve
access for tourists but also to improve general living conditions for local residents. In parallel with
road improvements the opportunity arises to incorporate footpaths, surface water drainage, water
supply and landscaping into village road reserves improving the amenity and urban design of these
settlements. In upgrading access infrastructure particular care should be taken to ensure that
environment impacts arising from new works are minimized.
Surface Water Drainage and Sewage Networks
With the deterioration of the village road networks much of the piped services including surface
water drainage and sewage with become exposed to vehicular traffic and damaged. As a result
both of these networks are generally in urgent need of repair throughout the study area. The issue
of sewage collection and treatment is a particularly urgent issue with the majority of village houses
seeming to be dependent on earth pit latrines in gardens or simple soakaway channels. The use of
simple earth closets will generally not be acceptable to visitors, who are habituated to flushing
toilets and enclosed toilets. The present treatment and disposal mechanisms for effluent are not to
acceptable norms and constitute a potential public health risk to both residents and visitors as well
10
as impacting negatively on the environment, such risks will be clearly in evidence when large
volumes of visitors outstrip the discharge and treatment capacities of present arrangements.
Water Supply
With the exception of Halidzor it is believed that all of the villages in the study area have a
sufficient water supply to meet present demand. It is reported that water supply in Halidzor is
rationed with half of the village receiving water in the morning and the other half in the afternoon. It
is not known if this situation arising from supply constraint or is as a result of limitations in the
supply network.
With the development of tourism in the area the demand for potable water will increase
significantly. As a consequence a detailed design and feasibility study should be undertaken to
determine future demand, supply solutions and distribution capacities. This study should ideally be
conducted as a civil engineering study which would also examine electrical power, surface water
drainage, sewage treatment and disposal as well as improvements to the local road networks
within villages.
Electrical Supply
The Vorotan Riven is one of the major sources hydro-electrical power in Armenia and as a
consequence is the focus of the electrical distribution system. To the north of Khot there is a major
transformer and distribution station with a network of pylons and overhead power lines emanating
from it. While this power grid is something of a visual intrusion around the distribution station its
impact diminishes as it radiates outwards. In an ideal situation it would have been designed more
environmentally sensitive to lessen the visual impact however it must now be accepted as a given
and may be addressed in the ongoing Asian Development Bank study which is examining the
redesign of a number key electrical transmission stations.. Some suggestions have been tabled
regarding the aesthetic treatment of pylons, specifically regarding the possibility of dressing them
in the appearance of local peasant costume. While this may initially appear attractive the structural
and safety implication on this critical infrastructure element will need to be carefully evaluated and
approvals obtained from the power distribution company. Both potential fire hazard and greatly
increased structural wind loadings are likely to raise concerns as will the installation and
maintenance of such ‘costumes’.
Within the study area itself all of the villages have a grid connection and there are not believed to
be any capacity constraints to the supply of electrical power in the area. The development of new
tourism facilities, particularly in Tatev, Halidzor and Shinuhayr, will put increase loads on the local
distribution network. Detailed design work should therefore determine if networks and transformer
capacities need to be upgraded to serve new developments. It is recommended that the upgrading
of distribution networks should seek to minimize potential environment impacts to the areas that
they serve.
11
A particular case that will require being resolved is the provision of limited electrical power to
proposed camp sites in a number of the villages. Where recommended a distribution circuit should
be provided to provide a single and fused 13 amp outlet to tent pitches. This circuit should be
independently metered and fitted with an isolator so that the power to the campsite can be
monitored and shut off when the site is not in use.
Telecoms and Internet
There is believed to be mobile phone coverage for most of the area although we are informed that
this is generally limited to a single network, potentially leaving many visitors without coverage. The
provision of mobile phone services and, increasingly, of internet access has become essential to
the modern traveler who is coming to increasingly rely on mobile and wireless-based information
services. This is particularly true of relatively remote areas such as Tatev where in activities such
as trekking it is the sole way of communicating with the emergency and information services. The
availability of 3G and 4G mobile telephone networks covering the area will facilitate visitor internet
access and open up the possibility of designing area specific Smartphone apps which could
provide more time sensitive visitor information as well as mapping and interpretative information
throughout the area.
A detailed assessment of mobile and internet coverage for the area should be prepared and, in
cooperation with service providers, an outline programme development for the upgrading of
telecoms infrastructure throughout the study area prepared. In installing new networks to the area
efforts should be made to minimize the environmental impact of transmitter masts.
Banking Services
The availability of modern banking services and in particular credit card or bank debit ATM and
charging facilities have become essential to the modern traveler. The lack of credit card payment
facilities and an international ATM withdrawal facility is a major impediment to tourism
development. The banking sector should therefore be encouraged to expedite the installation of
ATM machines in all four identified tourism service centres; this service should be extended to
major hotels in order to facilitate hotel bill settlement. Smaller hotels as well as bed and breakfast
establishments may be able to receive payments indirectly through a central booking portal doing
away with the present situation where visitor are required to travel with relatively large sums in
cash in order to expedite the payment of accommodation bills.
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3. Visitor Carrying Capacity
3.1 General
Any tourism attraction to remain sustainable must ensure that is operated at a level of patronage which
does not destroy or degrade the attraction itself or diminish the quality of the visitors’ experience to a
point where the attraction ceases to be sufficiently attractive to visitors either by virtue of the volume of
visitors in a location or due congested access to that attraction.. Dependent on the nature of an
attraction and its location its capacity to receive tourists, or carry capacity, can be assessed by
reference to a range of criteria related to the environment and access, as well as social and economic
impacts.
A tool is needed to help in a discussion of site management, proposed developments and the need
for investment within the concept of a strategic analysis of the tourism resources. The concept of
visitor saturation is often proposed in which four key variables are included. These include:
The numbers of visitors,
The condition of the access facilities – paths, steps, viewpoints, uncontrolled commercial
development, public safety and risk assessment,
Vehicular traffic congestion (number of coaches at peak periods) – parking, organization,
vehicle/people conflicts; and
Environmental impacts (number of issues and severity) – vegetation loss, litter, and water
pollution on site caused by visitors, geotechnical issues (slope failure).
These variables are often assessed on a one to five scale and the final scores are summed to give
a figure approximating to the visitor capacity of the site, with a low score of four approximating to
good visitor capacity and a maximum score of 25 denoting that visitor saturation has been reached
and that serious problems will arise without a fundamental redesign of the site. A simple example
of assessment criteria is set out below in Table 3.1.
Criteria/Score
Visitor
(,000)
1
volume < 100
2
3
4
5
100 - 200
200 - 300
300 - 400
> 400
Condition
of
access and risk
assessment
Vehicular traffic
congestion
Good
Acceptable
Problems
arising
Poor
Deteriorating
None
Well
planned
Acceptable
Problems
arising
Chaotic
Environmental
impacts
None
Few
Some
Many
Priority action
needed
Table 3.1: Visitor capacity criteria
13
While all of these criteria and important, including the need to monitor impacts on historic sites and
monuments, the criteria relating to the capacity of the Tatev site relates to transport access capacities.
3.2 VISITOR CAPACITY
Visitor access to the Tatev site, which is the anchor attraction for the development, of the is by two
modes of transport; the ‘Wings of Tatev’ cableway and the local road network which traverse the
Vorotan River Gorge. Both of these access modes have finite or restricted capacities by virtue of
their design, in the case of the cableway, and topography, as is the case with road access. The
capacities of these modes will therefore limit the numbers of visitors who can access the full Tatev
tourism area. Although other access modes, such as helicopter, may be considered their overall
impact on total potential visitor numbers is likely to be insignificant. This section examines the
impact of transport constraints on total potential visitor arrival numbers and more generally the site
infrastructure required to receive these tourists.
3.3 Road Capacity
The access road to Tatev Village runs from Halidzor on the southern flank of the Vorotan River
Gorge and descends some 250 metres over a road length of 8.5 kilometres to the valley floor
through a series of 6 switchbacks before ascending around 350 metres on the northern flank to
Tatev. The first segment of the route, the descent, has recently been reconstructed; the road is
well surfaced and incorporates metal safety barriers to improve security. Although the road itself is
on a steep incline the relative openness of the topography on this section allows for wellengineered and comparatively generous turning radii between long stretches of ascent sections.
The decent section of the route terminates at the Devil’s Bridge crossing of the Vorotan River, a
popular tourist attraction where generous provision has been made for car and coach roadside
parking. The descent section of the road, although somewhat challenging to inexperienced drivers
has a relatively high capacity, the primary constraint being a reduced design speed, to 50 kph in
response to road gradients and switchback turns.
The uphill section of the route from the Devil’s Bridge to Tatev Village is however a much more
challenging route and presents severe road capacity constraints. This section, which is more
topographically constrained than the descent climbs some 350 metres over a road length of 5.7
kilometres through a precipitous path of around 20 exceptionally tight switchback, or hairpin, turns
most of which necessitate crossing into the oncoming traffic lane to successfully negotiate. The
road itself is unsurfaced and incorporates surface water drainage provision, safety barrier
protection to its edges or rock fall protection indicating that this section may be exceptionally
hazardous during heavy rainfall and the winter months.
14
Figure 3.1: Tatev Access Road
In order to determine the vehicular capacity of this section of the access route reference has been
made to similar routes in mountainous terrain both in the Canadian Rockies and the Himalayan
state of Nepal. In both countries an equivalent narrow and unsurfaced road with a steep gradients
and switchbacks is classified as a mountain trail road. Similar roads in the Canadian Rockies and
Nepal have very low design carrying capacities and offer only restricted access.
The Government of Nepal Road Design Standards Manual estimated that an equivalent
unsurfaced single land route through steep terrain has a vehicular capacity of 40 PCU per hour or
400 PCU per day. PCU or Passenger Car Units are an internationally recognized measure of traffic
volume, as the name implies 1 PCU is equivalent to one private saloon car, a truck or passenger
bus can be the equivalent or up to 3 PCU each due to vehicle size and speed. By this design
standard the ascent section of the Tatev access route has a notional capacity of 400 cars per day.
The actual capacity of the road to deliver tourists to the site will however be modified by the
vehicular mix and percentage of road capacity taken by local residents and service traffic.
Table 3.2, which is set out below, For the purposes of estimating road capacity it has been
assumed that 20% of capacity will be taken by local and service traffic, 10% by heavy goods or
15
construction traffic, 5% by tourist coaches, 15% by light buses and 50% by private cars.
Allowances have been made for vehicle occupancies as well as seasonality based on visitor
patterns in the country and Tatev. It is stressed that visitor estimates may vary as traffic
assumptions are refined or as incremental road improvements increase the design capacity of the
road itself.
Based on current design assumptions the broad initial assessment set out below indicates,
in Table 3.2, indicates that some 100,000 tourists could access Tatev by road, with up to 141
vehicles on a peak month/ average day and some 200 vehicles on a peak day.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
TOTAL
26000
26000
26000
26000
26000
26000
26000
26000
26000
26000
26000
26000
312000
Average Load
Factor
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
1
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
Seasonal
Adjustment
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.2
0.6
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.5
0.3
0.2
0.2
Cable Car
Passengers
1820
1820
3640
3640
10920
14560
14560
20800
9100
5460
3640
3640
Road Vehicles
(pcu) Total Design
Capacity
10400
10400
10400
10400
10400
10400
10400
10400
10400
10400
10400
10400
Local and Service
Traffic %
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
8320
8320
8320
8320
8320
8320
8320
8320
8320
8320
8320
8320
14
14
28
28
83
111
111
111
69
42
28
28
Light Buses 15%
62.4
62.4
124.8
124.8
374.4
499.2
499.2
499.2
312
187.2
124.8
124.8
Trucks 10%
277
277
277
277
277
277
277
277
277
277
277
277
Private Cars 50%
416
416
832
832
2496
3328
3328
3328
2080
1248
832
832
Vehicles per day
26
26
42
42
108
141
141
141
91
58
42
42
Vehicle Visitors
1761
2108
4215
4215
12646
16862
16862
16862
10539
6323
4215
4215
Cable Car Design
Capacity
Road Vehicles
(pcu) Tourism
Buses 5%
Total Visitors
93600
100825
202,425
Table 3.2: Tourist Access Estimates
3.4 Cable Car
Cableway access to Tatev is by the new ‘Wings of Tatev’ cableway which at 5.7 kilometres in
length is the world’s longest cableway. Running from Halidzor the Tatev the system spans the
Vorotan Gorge offering passengers spectacular views of the area and fast easy access to the
Tatev Monastery site. The cableway is designed to operate 25 person capacity cars on a 15
minute frequency giving a theoretic design capacity of 1200 passengers over a 12 hour operating
16
day, closing on Mondays to allow for routine maintenance the ‘Wings of Tatev’ have a theoretic
design capacity of up to 370,000 passenger a year. Such calculations however take no account of
usage patterns on a daily basis, tourism seasonality, and closures due to weather conditions or
annual maintenance requirements.
We have examined actual passenger numbers achieved by two of the world’s leading cable car
operations; the Table Mountain route in Cape Town South Africa and the Sugar Loaf Mountain
route in Rio de Janeiro. The Table Mountain Cable Car, South Africa’s leading tourist attraction
operated with an average annual load factor of 17% in 2011 carrying a total of 835,000 visitors out
of a theoretical total capacity of 4.74 million. The Rio de Janeiro cableway had a peak day load
factor of 70% and an annual average of below load factor of slightly below 30%.
Figures which have been made available from the Tatev operator indicate that the average annual
load factor in 2012 was in the region of 22%, a relatively strong performance by international
standards. The peak month for the Wing of Tatev in 2012 was the month of August when a total of
19,844 passengers were carried. This represents a load factor of 64.3% for that month. Over a 12
month operating period the total number of passengers carried over a 72,424 passengers. Table
3.2, above, indicates an estimate of the total carrying capacity for the Tatev cable way allowing for
seasonality and an average load factor of 30% achieved by 2017 will be in the order of 100,000
passengers a year.
3.5 Summary and Implications
Taking into account both road and cableway access it is estimated that the total number of
visitors accessing Tatev will be in the order of a little over 200,000 a year.
While these numbers are lower than many have been originally anticipated some increase may be
won through the broadening of the present tourist season into shoulder months as well as
improvement to the access road. Both of these areas will require further detailed study to
determine feasibility and cost. It is also noted that this exercise takes no account of access from
the M24 road, which provides access to Bardzravan which in time may develop into a significant
attraction.
Given the anticipated number of visitors access the area it will be of some importance to ensure
that.
4. Visitor Demand, Accommodation Projections and Positioning
Accommodation Demand
It is estimated that no more than 105 of the visitors to the Tatev area will be overnight visitors the
remainder being day tripper from the Yerevan area of making a day excursion from the nearby
17
town of Goris. Over time and with the development of a deeper range of attraction in Tatev and the
area it is expected that the proportion of overnight visitors will rise.
From the carrying capacity analysis it is estimated that a total of around 200,000 visitors will visit
Tatev a year and that the peak month will be August when 36,700 visitors are forecast, of whom
3,670 will be overnight visitors. It is initially estimated that the average length of stay will be 1.5
nights and that average room occupancy will be 1.5 persons implying a demand for 5.505 bed
nights in August peak season.
Aiming for a target occupancy of 90% this implies a total of 203 rooms or 305 bed spaces will be
required. It must be clearly understood that these estimates are made in the absence of reliable
national statistics and the absence of local statistics for the Tatev area. As such room demand
forecasts should be subject to review and underpinned by demand survey’s to be undertaken at
the earliest possible juncture.
Based upon this crude initial demand forecast a broad segmentation of room supply has been
prepared, this envisages around 40% of bedspaces being provided in hotels, 35% in bed and
breakfast and the balance in hostels or tented camps.
18
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
9
10
Name
Aghvani
Bardzravan
Khot
Halidzor
Shinuhayr
Svarants
Tatev
Tandzatap
Kashuni
Gorge
Total
Hotel rooms
25
45
15
85
B&B rooms
2
4
6
10
12
6
20
6
2
8
74
Tent pitches
4
4
8
4
8
4
4
8
44
Figure 3.2: Distribution of Accommodation
Based upon room estimated an initial distribution of bed spaces has been prepared and is
illustrated in Figure 3.2. All hotel accommodation is confined the Halidzor to Tatev segment of the
circuit, including a new 15 room unit presently under construction at the Devil’s Bridge. Other
villages are generally served by Bad and Breakfast accommodation while the remote villages of
Kashuni and Aghvani will be largely dependent on tented accommodation.
19
5. Tatev Village Master Plan
5.1 General
The core of the development area’s tourism offer is the village of Tatev and its 11 th century
monastery complex. The monastery is one of the most culturally significant sites in the country
and is a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage site listing. The construction of the Wings of Tatev
cable way has given impetus to the development of this attraction, and with it the development of
the wider area as a tourism destination. A number of studies have examined the development of
Tatev although none of these diverse initiatives have been adopted for implementation.
A number of planning proposals have been reviewed in the preparation of the proposed Tatev
Development Plan set out in this report and a number of key issues have emerged:






Village Integration: In order that the local residents fully realize the benefits of tourism
development and to ensure that the existing village does not evolve into a service
appendage it is of importance that it is integrated into the overall planning of the area and
that village-based development opportunities are identified. The detailed proposals should
indicate a high level of integration with the existing Tatev village.
Cultural and Historic Context: Given the cultural and historic significance of this
destination it is of considerable importance that the design of new facilities, including
landscaping responds sympathetically to the area’s context. The proposed landscaping of
the site, as a formal garden, should make reference to the cultural context of the site or its
topography and add to the attraction of Tatev as a tourist destination and its ability to
generate revenue.
Accommodation Mix: the accommodation mix should reflect the imperative to attract
higher value/spend visitors to the destination. While bed and breakfast accommodation will
still have an important role to play the quota of B&B rooms should be reduced in favour of
higher levels of accommodation.
Access and Parking: the parking mix should correspond to traffic mix volumes and
forecasts, of up to 200 vehicles. Parking areas should be broken into small landscaped
parcels to diminish their visual impact on the area. Road alignments should be defined to
restrict traffic access to the historic core of the area, preferably creating a safe pedestrian
precinct around the monastery.
Revenue Generation: the development plan for the area should contain significant
revenue generating facilities or attractions in order to curtain the destination and offer
sufficient employment and economic opportunities to local residents and investors
Environment: much of the attraction of the development area lies in its environmental
quality covering dramatic natural landscapes, including the river gorge and rolling hills. The
introduction of tourism to the area requires that the potential environmental impacts of new
developments are taken into consideration in the preparation of detailed proposals.
5.2 Proposed Tatev Master Plan
20
A development plan has been prepared for the development of Tatev as a destination, the
proposed development plan for Tatev however seeks to address the issues we have raised above
in that it integrates village improvements and adds to the amenity and attraction of Tatev as a
tourism destination. The primary focus of developing Tatev remains its proposed positioning as a
cultural, spiritual and holistic centre. The proposed facilities and development mix reflect this overarching objective and are illustrated below in Figure 5.2
KEY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
21
Cableway Station
Tatev Monastery
Old Mill
Tatev Piazza
Visitors Centre
Parking
Conference Centre
Well-being Centre
Tatev University
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Monastery Gardens
20
19
Orchards
Medicinal Gardens
Park
Campus
Village Square
Bed and Breakfast
Market and retail
Hotel site
Viewing Platform
Café
Pedestrian bridge
and
Figure 5.2: Proposed Tatev Development Plan
The primary focus of the plan is a circular Piazza which is access directly from the cableway
station and which is designed to distribute visitors to all the major elements of the attraction in a
radial manner. The Piazza may be named after a significant local personage, Eustateus, the
disciple of St. Thaddeus the Apostle, who preached and was martyred in this region, and whose
name is one of the possible sources of Tatev is suggested as a possibility. Ranged around a
central statue or monument a formal and highly manicured garden area is developed within which
a series of smaller statue or historic tableaux could depict the spiritual and cultural history of the
location. The key features of the proposed plan are:









22
The Cableway Station and Entry Piazza; the main aerial point to the destination linked to
a new landscape plaza providing attractive pedestrian linkages to all elements of the
development.
Main Boulevard; a major new formal pedestrian axis linking the village to the monastery
complex with Tatev village and vehicle parking areas. Vehicle access to this route will be
restricted and a new access road to the south has been created.
Tatev Monastery Access Improvements; the improvement of access arrangements to
the monastery including the reopening of the main entry gate and the creation of an internal
movement circuit
Car and Coach Parking; the provision of three car and coach parking and set down area
as well as visitor facilities
Possible Cableway Hotel; a site reserved for a possible future Cableway Hotel of up to 50
rooms together with dedicated gardens
New Attraction Pavilions; the development of three thematic pavilions for health,
conference and education each in its own thematic landscape setting and to be operated
either as an integrated complex or as independent units.
Interpretative Centre; the provision of a new state of the art visitors facility for Tatev
Hillside Viewing Platform, Café and Access Bridge; the construction of a new
pedestrian bridge and viewing platform overlooking the monastery, as shown in Figure 5.3,
and accessed through a parkland setting by a new pedestrian footbridge which also
shortens access to Tandzatap.
Village Square; a new formal village square at the northern termination of the main
boulevard around which market space, retail and bed and breakfast accommodation is to
be developed
Figure 5.3: Photomontage of Hillside Café
Central to the development and located on the southern edge of the pizza and at the intersection
of the major pedestrian access routes we have indicated that a modern state of the art visitors, or
interpretative, centre is developed.
23
KEY
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Central Plaza
Café Terrace
AV Theatre
Information Centre
Café
Toilets
Craft Shop
Figure 5.4: Tatev Interpretative Centre
The Interpretative Centre should employ a range of interactive audio-visual displays to tell the
historic, cultural, spiritual and social story of Tatev and its monastery through a series of multilingual displays. The centre will also provide visitor with information services, café, guide services
and a craft or souvenir shop. The centre is developed in a park setting and offers unobstructed
views of the monastery from an open café terrace.
5.3 Possible Development Packages
Although the entire plan area may be developed in one phase by a single entity the opportunity
exists for the area to be subdivided into a series of development packages which may be
developed by a number of investors and over a series of development phases as illustrated below
in Figure 5.5.
24
Figure 5.5: Possible development packages
25
6. Village Proposals
6.1 General
For the most part the nine villages in the study area are rather drab, characterless and rundown. At
present they offer little intrinsic attraction to the tourist aside for their often stunning natural
settings. In order to make these villages more attractive to tourists and to improve living conditions
for their residents it is proposed that a village improvement programme be undertaken. The
proposed improvement programme fall into a number of main areas of action, namely:




Transport infrastructure improvement
Infrastructure and services improvement
Tourism facilities development
Urban design improvement
A broad assessment has been made of the tourism development opportunities for eight of the
villages, Tatev as the anchor attraction has been considered independently in the preceding
section of this report. It must be stressed that all proposals are subject to further detailed study in
order to secure local agreement, identify development plots and fully identify local labour and skills
resources. Account should also be taken of broad proposals to develop the area for eco and
adventure tourism, proposed attractions and trails need to be specifically identified and mapped.
This may require outline proposals for some villages to be modified.
6.2 Urban Design Improvements
All of the villages under consideration required to be improved both in terms of the facilities that
they offer and their general appearance in order to successfully receive tourism. In improving their
appearance a number of general urban design principles should be adopted and progressively
implemented across the study area. The principle elements of this urban design programme are as
follows:



26
Architectural Design: all new construction in the area should respect the traditional
architectural idiom of the area, generally typified by the style of Goris and illustrated in
Figure 6.1. Structure should be no more than 2 floors in height, walling should be masonry
or masonry rendered, fenestration should be paneled in traditional proportions and roofing
should be sloped and finished with terra cotta pan tiles. Efforts should also be made to
incorporated tradition balcony and covered terrace features into designs
Creation of local focus or village squares: as indicated or concept plans efforts should
be made to create a local focus or village squares around which tourist facilities such as
retail and restaurants should be encouraged to cluster. Such squares should be
attractively paved and landscaped to provide shade.
Street Improvement: village streets should be progressively re-constructed, an exercise
involving road resurfacing, drainage, sewage and street lighting. In view of the scale and




cost of this exercise prioritization should be given to major access routes and principle
thoroughfares.
Non-conforming materials and colours: should be progressively replaced with
appropriate traditional materials and earth-toned colours. Particular attention is drawn to
the widespread use of asbestos-cement roofing sheeting which should be replaced with
terra cotta pan tiles on a progressive basis.
Removal of derelict and dangerous structures: many of the villages, and their
surrounding areas, are populated with vacant buildings, many of which are in a poor state
of repair. These structures do nothing to enhance the attraction of the area and should, if
deemed to be in a dangerous condition, be removed and their sites restored.
Removal of litter and waste: including general garbage derelict vehicles and agricultural
machinery should be removed from village areas and correctly disposed of.
Landscaping and landscape restoration: while all of the villages plots are generally well
treed the areas surrounding the village have been all but denuded of natural tree cover
giving a most and engineered appearance to many of the villages. Similar to the tree
planting programme which has been undertaken for Tatev and area wide tree planting
programme should developed in order to set villages in a more natural and picturesque
setting framing visas and providing enhanced amenity to the villages.
6.3 Bardzravan Village
Bardzravan, which has a population of 175, is located on the southern rim of the Vorotan Gorge
and offers spectacular views northwards over Halidzor and Shinuhayr. The village is also a
designated feature of the 6,400 kilometres long UNWTO Silk Route, a major international tourism
attraction. Within the context of the Tatev tourism development area Bardzravan is the southern
terminal point of the mountain trail network emanating from Tatev. Unlike the other southern area
villages, which are all accessed from Tatev, Bardzravan lies some five kilometres from the main
highway to Iran, the M24 and has the possibility of capturing visitors from this important
international route. Access to the village is along an unsealed road along which is also located a
small UNESCO restored monastery. At present the village receives a small number of visitors, in
discussion with the Mayor it was revealed that two tour groups and a total of around twelve tourists
visited the village in 2012, staying in an informal camping area.
27
Figure 6.1: Bardzravan outline proposals
The village itself contains two historic buildings of significance the old church and an old
caravanserai. The small church, which has suffered earthquake damage and the caravanserai,
which is illustrated below, could both be restored as visitor’s attractions and facilities. While the
village clearly has potential as a tourism destination it clearly faces some significant challenges,
the low population based appears to be shrinking and the population appears to contain a high
proportion of elderly citizen, with the younger age groups reportedly migrating to the larger urban
centres such as Yerevan in search of employment. Informal discussions with the mayor and a
number of villages revealed that a large number of dwelling now lie vacant or abandoned.
In common with other villages Bardzravan has significant problems of solid waste collection and
disposal. Waste is disposed of over the lip of the gorge and there is extensive littering within the
village area itself. There are numerous abandoned vehicles and old agricultural equipment in the
area which also require to be removed. Some elements of the old soviet era collective farm are in
a very poor state of repair, and appear to be collapsing; these should be demolished and removed
or converted into new used such as possibly stables and a riding school for tourists.
28
Figure 6.2: Bardzravan Caravanserai, interior
It is proposed that up to 4 bed and breakfast rooms and 4 tent pitches are developed in the village
to accommodate tourists. Subject to detailed structural assessments and the approvals of the
Ministry of Culture it is proposed that tourist accommodation be developed in the old Silk Route
Caravanserai perched on the lip of the Gorge. It is understood that some private sector operators
have already expressed an interest in developing such a facility.
6.4 Kashuni Village Proposals
Kashuni is the smallest and southernmost settlement in the study area; it is also difficult to access
lying as it does some 5 kilometres off the Tatev to Aghvani the access track to the village rising to
a height of almost 2000 metres at one point. Population data for the village, which has an
administrative area of 7.15 km², is cause for some concern, the total population of the village is 20,
the majority of whom are reported to be elderly bachelors, as such it must be assumed that the
village size will continue to shrink. Vaccination records for 2011 confirmed that there were no
children resident in the village. Detailed village plans and satellite coverage indicate considerably
more buildings than such a low population could support, it must be assumed therefore that a high
proportion of structures in Kashuni are either derelict or vacant.
There are no intrinsic attractions in Kashuni itself although the village does nest in a picturesque
and tranquil mountain valley at the junction of a number of mountain tracks which link it to nearby
villages such as Aghvani and Tandzatap as such Kashuni is well positioned to provide an
overnight trekking stop. Numbers of trekkers are likely to be low and thus the potential demand for
bed space will be modest with a forecast requirement of no more than 12 bedspaces. It has been
suggested that accommodation may be provided in a mixture of bed and breakfast and tented
accommodation, alternatively a simple low maintenance village hostel unit as set out in Section 7.7
may be more appropriate.
29
6.4 Halidzor Village Proposals
Halidzor, with a population of 707, is the third largest settlement in the area and the gateway to
Tatev both by road and cableway. The village has been developed on a narrow promontory of land
accessed from the Tatev access road and is a compact form in which most of the designated
development plots have been utilised. The village boasts a small town hall, kindergarten and
primary school clustered at the eastern end of the ‘main street’.
Figure 6.3: Halidzor conceptual proposals
Conceptual proposals for the village, which should be subject to further detailed study, have been
prepared. These proposals, which are illustrated in Figure 6.3, envisages the upgrading of the
main street, the creation of a new landscaped village square, the development of new retail and
restaurants around the village square and the development of bed and breakfast enterprises.
External to the main village it is also proposed that a Halidzor Tourist Information Centre be
developed at the cableway station to serve as the main information and reception portal for the
area.
6.5 Khot Village Proposals
The village of Khot lies on the eastern edge of the development area and is accessed from a
junction of the Goris to Halidzor road. The access road from the junction to Khot is unpaved and
although in generally good condition should be surfaced. Khot, which has a population of 1,079, is
30
the second largest settlement in the area and unlike other villages seen its population grow
between 2001 and 2010. The village is a relocation development housing residents previously
living in ‘Old’ Khot which is located nearby on the southern face of the Vorotan Gorge. The new
village, whose plan is illustrated below in Figure 6.4, is a strikingly formal layout for such a modest
settlement. The village is accessed by
In common with all of the other villages along the gorge edge the old and largely abandoned old
village of Khot lies on the northern face of the Vorotan River Gorge. Old Khot is particularly
dramatic and has been described by some as the ‘Armenian Machu Picchu’, clinging as it does to
the precipitous cliff face with old dwellings ingeniously layered to form an intricate and unique
development pattern.
Figure 6.4: Khot Village
The key tourism asset of Khot is the village of Old Khot, an ancient defensive stronghold, which
was developed on a series of precipitous terraces overlooking the Vorotan River. The form of this
settlement is unique to the region and represents a striking architectural relic of the profound
history of the area. Although the village has been abandoned for a number of decades many of its
building are still in remarkably good condition. This striking urban form which has been described
by some as ‘Armenia’s Machu Picchu’ offers a unique opportunity to restore one of the Gorge’s
original settlements into a major tourism attraction.
31
Subject to further detailed study Old Khot, which is shown in Figure 6.5, could be restored as a
living museum which showcases the history and lifestyle of the area, including agriculture, crafts,
folk traditions and associations with the Silk Road. Provision should also be made to restore and
convert a number of old dwellings into traditional inns, homestays and restaurants.
Figure 6.5: Old Khot Village
6.6 Aghvani Village Proposals
Aghvani is with Kashuni one the smallest settlements in the study area; it is accessed by a long
stretch of unpaved mountain track suitable on for 4X4 vehicles on its winding mountain tracks.
Population in this area is exceptionally low and, with outward migration likely to be skewed to older
age residents. Detailed village plans and satellite coverage indicate considerably more buildings
than such a low population could support, it must be assumed therefore that a high proportion of
structures in Aghvani are either derelict or vacant.
There are no intrinsic attractions in Aghvani itself although the village does nest in a picturesque
and tranquil mountain valley at the junction of a number of mountain tracks which link it to nearby
villages such as Kashuni and Tandzatap as such Kashuni is well positioned to provide an
overnight trekking stop. Numbers of trekkers are likely to be low and thus the potential demand for
bed space will be modest with a forecast requirement of no more than 12 bedspaces. It has been
suggested that accommodation may be provided in a mixture of bed and breakfast and tented
accommodation, alternatively a simple low maintenance village hostel unit may be more
appropriate.
32
Figure 6.6: Aghvani
6.7 Shinuhayr Village Proposals
Shinuhayr village is the largest settlement is the study area and while it has no intrinsic attractions
for visitors it ideally lends itself as a service base for the development of tourism in the area.
Moreover its relatively large population base suggests that the village will be the source of much of
the labour that the development of the industry in the area will require. As a service base, with
limited tourism accommodation it is anticipated that Shinuhayr will provide the following facilities to
the wider development area:






Banking and ATM machines
Petrol station and fuel supply
Supermarkets and general supplies
Emergency medical facilities
A dedicated tourism training school for the area, and
Specialist equipment rental including vehicle and cycle rental and repair
A conceptual development plan has been prepared for the area and is set out below in Figure 6.7.
The concept envisages the formation of a major new town square, with vehicle parking, around
with new services including retail, petro station, transport terminus and the proposed tourism
33
training school are clustered. Major village streets are to be upgraded and new tourist pedestrian
routes accessing the gorge developed.
Figure 6.7: Shinuhayr concept
6.8 Tandzatap Village Proposals
Tandzatap is possibly the most attractive village in the proposed tourism area, located within a few
kilometres of Tatev and offering panoramic views of the monastery itself the village has the
potential to greatly benefit from the development of Tatev as a tourism destination. Developed on a
confined site on the steep valley side Tandzatap has of the qualities of a small alpine village,
dramatic landscape, quaint buildings and small intimate streets. The village has a small village
square bounded on one side by an ancient church and to the south by a small government
complex, including a health centre.
Conceptual proposals for Tandzatap including upgrading the access road from Tatev, providing a
small visitors car park, upgrading the village square and providing pedestrian linkages to Tatev and
34
the countryside towards Svarants. Properties for limited bed and breakfast accommodation should
be identified and a small camping area on the edge of the village set out.
Figure 6.8: Tandzatap Village Square
Figure 6.9: Tandzatap conceptual plan
35
6.9 Svarants Village
Figure 6.10: Svarants, concept plan
Svarants is an old mining village to the west of Tatev and boasts a number of fine buildings
including a restore church and some substantial and solid domestic structures of some quality. The
area is generally attractive and its attractions are nature-based. The concept plan for the village
envisages the reconstruction of the unsurfaced road from Tatev to the village. While most of the
countryside sections of this route are generally in fair condition and motorable, the village section
of the route is in an extremely poor condition and should be surfaced. It is proposed that the
resurfacing exercise is initially limited to the main village road which provides access to the village
church. This ancient church has recently been restored is in extremely good condition, externally
offering fine open views of the surrounding hills. Next to the church is located a fine two floor
abandoned domestic building. This house, which is illustrated below in Figure 6.11 is one of the
more substantial domestic structures examined in the study area. With open views, external
terrace area and ease of access it is, subject to further detailed study suitable for restoration and
conversion into tourist bed and breakfast accommodation.
36
Figure 6.11: Potential Bed and Breakfast restoration
37
7. Potential Tourism Projects
The development plan for the area has identified a number of facilities that should be developed in
the Tatev area. This section sets out a broad description and conceptual design for each of these
proposed developments.
7.1 Tourism Training School
In the absence of any formal tourism training programme of facilities in the area it is proposed that
a new tourism training school be established in the area. This facility should be located in
Shinuhayr the largest settlement and with the greatest potential labour pool. The training
catchment should be area wide possibly also servicing needs for nearby Goris. Although a specific
location for the facility has not been identified a site in the vicinity of the disused shoe factory offers
the attraction of high visibility and ease of access as well as the possibility of collaborating with
nearby bed and breakfast operators for practical training.
In the initial phase of the school, of around 500 m², should be sized for up to 50 students. It should
contain; classrooms, demonstration kitchens, demonstration restaurant and bedrooms, library and
administrative offices. The purpose of the training school is to provide locally based entry level
vocational training and management support to the development of the Tatev Tourism Circuit. The
Tourism Training School should be a multi-functional facility capable of easy adaption to other
training requirements including; handicrafts, guide and languages training. A conceptual sketch of
the proposed facility, which may be a new build or the refurbishment of an existing building, is set
out below.
Figure 7.1: Tourism Training School, Conceptual Plan
38
7.2 Halidzor Tourism Information Centre
Figure 7.2: Tourism Information Centre
39
With the development of the Tatev tourism area there is a clear need to provide tourists with a full
range of information and services if they are to fully benefit from the range of attractions and
facilities that the area offers. In this respect it is proposed that a new purpose built Tourist
Information Centre (TIC) should be constructed and that this centre would be ideally located at the
point of entry, in the vicinity of the Halidzor cableway station. Further study and negotiation will be
required to secure a specific site but ideally it would have co-use of the existing car and coach
parking area on a site of approximately 200 m².
The purpose of the TIC, which may be operated jointly by the area’s management entity and the
proposed new National tourism Organisation (NTO) will be to provide a central information and
booking facility for the Tatev area, to this end the TIC should contain:




An information desk and display area
Craft sales area
Management and guide offices, and
Toilets
A conceptual design for the TIC is illustrated above in Figure 7.2 and comprises a total area of 63
m². The construction and design of this facility should be kept simple and robust, employing both
local materials and building skills. Natural materials such as local stone and timber should be used
to the maximum and vernacular architectural details such as window and door design should be
incorporated into the construction.
7.3 Tatev Conference and Meetings Centre:
With quality accommodation and a stunning, discrete and secure location Tatev is ideally position
to provide a unique and exclusive venue for small to medium sized conferences and meeting.
Parallels may be drawn with venues such as Davos in Switzerland. The Conference and Meeting
centre proposed for Tatev, which is illustrated below in Figure 7.3 is small state of the art facility
equipped to the highest international standards. With o total area of up to 1200 m² over up to three
levels as well as adjacent private garden areas the centre should contain the following elements:





40
Conference Hall for up to 150 delegates
Up to 6 break out meeting rooms
Reception and resource areas
Buffet restaurant and coffee area, and
Administration offices
Figure 7.3: Tatev Conference and Meeting Centre
7.4 Tatev Well-Being Centre
Tatev’s unique setting, healthy mountain climate and luxury accommodation create the opportunity
to develop a health and well-being centre as an adjunct to other destination attractions and in
support of the object of focusing the area on a spiritual and well-being theme. It is proposed that
the well-being theme is built on the monastic routes of natural and herbal treatments with the
development of extensive herbal and medicinal gardens as a visitor attraction around the proposed
Health and Well-Being Centre.
The Centre, with may be developed or managed by an internationally reputed operator is
illustrated below in Figure 7 and is small state of the art facility equipped to the highest
international standards. With a total area of up to 900 m² over up to three levels as well as
adjacent the adjacent herbal and medicinal garden areas the centre should, subject to further
detailed study, contain the following elements:
41






Treatment suites
Sun rooms and swimming pool
Reception and resource areas
Gymnasia
Sauna, heat and hydrotherapy areas
Administration offices
The Healthy and Well-Being Centre should be target at affluent domestic and international visitors
and through the course of more detailed study efforts should be made to identify site specific
therapies and treatments, including possible cosmetic interventions to high end guests.
Figure 7.4: Proposed Tatev Health and Well-being Pavilion, Conceptual Design
42
7.5 University of Tatev
Figure 7.5: University of Tatev
The third of the three proposed pavilions, which is illustrated above in Figure 7.5, is that of the
‘University of Tatev’. Taking its lead from the ancient university established at the monastery this
complex will be focused on spiritual and cultural education. Covering an area of up to 900 m² over
up to three levels developed on the hillside this facility should contain:





43
Reception area
Reference library and study cells
Seminar and staff rooms
Meeting and common rooms
Staff and student facilities
Subject to further detailed study it is anticipated that this pavilion, which may be the focus of a
private donation or sponsorship, will focus on high level training and research. It may operate in
association with the Church as well as domestic and foreign universities and offer courses and
facilities to visiting researchers as well as visiting university summer schools. A particular target
market for this institution may be the Armenian Diaspora.
7.6 Visitor Reception Area and Toilets
Tatev lies at the end of a three to four hour road trip from Yerevan with, at present few
opportunities to offer tourists clean rest stops which meet international standards and are of
sufficient capacity to receive 40-seat tourist coaches. It is of some importance therefore that on
arrival at the Tatev site appropriate reception facilities are available both for vehicles and the
visitors immediate needs. The development plan proposes a number of parking areas disperse
across the site. The largest of these areas, in anticipation of increasing tourist numbers, a
dedicated tourist coach set down and parking area with a capacity of some sixteen 42-seat tourist
coaches as broadly indicated in tourist traffic forecasts. An illustration of the proposed Tourist
Reception Area is set out below in Figure 7.6.
Figure 7.6: Tourist Reception Area
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The tourist reception area, which is developed adjacent to the main access pedestrian boulevard
giving onto the central Piazza, will contain a coach set down area, landscaped seating and waiting
area and public toilets designed and constructed in a local architectural idiom.
7.7 Village Accommodation
Much of the building stock in the smaller villages was constructed during the 1950s and 60s and is
now in a very poor condition for consideration as potential bed and breakfast or hostel
accommodation for visitors to the more remote rural areas. The internal planning of these single
family dwelling units may not lend themselves suitable for tourist accommodation, the lack of
internal flushing toilets and sewage disposal being a major issue.
As an alternative, and subject to evaluation on a case by case basis, a simple single floor hostel
accommodation design unit has been developed; this is illustrated below in Figure 7.7. Primarily for
use during the summer tourism season this concept envisages a relatively low cost structure with
provision for simple cooking facilities, toilets and basic sleeping accommodation. The design
proposes a reinforced concrete base platform with a simple terra cotta tile finish of approximately
100 m² over which a timber framed roof structure with terra cotta pan tiles is developed providing
shelter to the hostel accommodations. A total of 8 bed spaces are indicated with 4 simple enclosed
room areas giving onto a central corridor with toilets and showers at one end and an open kitchen
and dining area adjacent to the entry. A small open cooking area would comprise a simple
preparation work top, sink and a barbecue grill for cooking.
The construction and design of this facility should be kept simple and robust, employing both local
materials and building skills. Natural materials such as local stone and timber should be used to
the maximum and vernacular architectural details such as window and door design should be
incorporated into the construction. While the indicated design is very much prototypical local
variations should be encouraged. Hostel should be serviced to acceptable levels and incorporate
flushing toilets and an independent septic tank, electric lighting and a number of electrical sockets.
A safe potable water supply should be provided and showers to toilets should incorporate provision
for solar water heating panels. Externally provision should be made for a secure solid waste
collection bin.
45
Figure 7.7: Village Hostel Unit
It is anticipated that such hostels or similar bed and breakfast units would be developed and
managed on a communal basis with local residents receiving training in a range of service
activities, including interpretative guiding. Bookings and sales activities, including credit card
payments, should be handled through a central organization and the development of circuit
itineraries visiting a number of hostels or bed and breakfast establishments encouraged.
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8. Infrastructure Proposals
8.1 Access Infrastructure Improvement
At the time of their construction the new replacement villages appear to have been accessed by
sealed roads. These have long since deteriorated and now only fragments of the original surfaced
roads are to be found with village access roads uneven and unsurfaced. The access infrastructure
should resurface these roads, at the same time making provision for surface water drainage, a
local sewage collection network, as well as landscaping and street lighting to key areas.
Given that most villagers appear to be involved in agriculture and that a substantial proportion of
village traffic is heavy goods vehicle or agriculture equipment it will be necessary to consider a
highly durable road surface with low maintenance characteristics. It is believed that it would be
most appropriate to reconstruct these roads using a durable reinforced concrete construction
within village areas. While it would be desirable to repave all of the roads within villages to a
uniformly high standard it is noted that within the planned village areas many of the designated
plots have not been developed and an as yet unknown number of developed plots have been
effectively vacated in the on-going rural depopulation process. As an example the village of Khot
has 202 developed plots and 45 undeveloped plots serviced by approximately 4,600 metres of
village road network for a population of 1079 persons. Assuming a paved road width of 6 metres
this equates to a total of over 32,000 of paving, or around 32 m² per person.
Figure 8.1: Khot development concept
47
It is suggested that at least in the initial stages of rehabilitation major access roads only are
designated for upgrading in order to maximize potential benefits whilst minimizing overall
expenditure. Upgrading to these designated routes should include the provision of street lighting,
pedestrian footpaths, surface water drainage, sewage lines and electrical distribution. Moreover
urban design improvements and new tourism infrastructure should be developed on these
upgraded access roads. Figure 8.1, which is set out above illustrates how these principles could be
applied to the village of Khot.
8.2 Solid waste collection and disposal
Perhaps the most pressing services issue to resolve in the development area is that of solid waste
collection and disposal. All of the settlements in the area are blighted by poor, or no formal, refuse
collection and disposal with many villages and hillsides littered with informally tipped garbage. For
an area which has aspirations to become a tourist destination, and particularly an ecotourism
destination, this situate is totally unacceptable and urgent action is required in order to safeguard
the area’s environment. Bad the situation is at present it is only destined to further deteriorate in
the future as increasing numbers of affluent visitors arrive.
With the development of the area it is strongly recommended that a centrally managed refuse
collection and disposal plan is implemented across all villages and attractions. Given that all of the
settlements have quasi-autonomous administration it is proposed that the area redevelopment and
management entity takes charge of such municipal services as street cleaning and refuse
collection as well as an acceptable refuse treatment or disposal solution.
In addition it is recommended that, in the short term, a programme be developed to remove
existing refuse from the area. This programme, elements of which could possibly be undertaken by
‘environmental’ volunteers, should also include the removal of abandoned vehicles and agricultural
machinery which blights many on the rural areas. A wider programme should also be studies
looking into the possible demolition and removal of derelict buildings, including those of old
collective farms and industrial enterprises.
With the development programme and the establishment of a solid waste collection entity
centralised and purpose built refuse collection point should be established in all villages and
attraction together with refuse bins throughout the area. The issue of refuse disposal should be the
subject of a further detailed study which should examine disposal options and make a detailed
recommendation. As is indicated in Figure 8.2 many levels of disposal and treatment may be
considered, from simple disposals in the form of a landfill site through to energy recovery and
recycling of waste. Given the need to protect the forest cover of the area the development of a
biogas recovery solution for the Tatev area may be one that attracts particular attention. As the
possible use of biogas digesters to supplement community energy needs, particularly for cooking
gas may reduce other energy costs and impacts.
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Figure 8.2: Solid waste disposal hierarchy
8.3 Sewage Treatment
Sewage collection and treatment throughout the development area is an important issue that
requires to be resolved in order to provide visitors with facilities which meet acceptable
international standards, and in order to improve living conditions for residents. While many
modernized houses have flushing toilets there is, at present, widespread evidence of the use of
earth closets and little evidence of any formal sewage treatment in these rural areas. The
dispersed nature and size of these settlements indicates that most appropriate method of sewage
treatment may be by septic tank. In a number of the larger villages, however, a small package
treatment plant may be a viable and cost effective option
The septic tank is thought to have originated in France during the industrial revolution where it was
developed to deal with human wastes generated by rapidly expanding urban areas. Up until that
time cesspit latrines adjoining residences had been used. During that period some larger buildings
often had quite sophisticated sewers that drained from within the house to a cesspit and
associated reed bed in the grounds and large established cities often had gravity sewer networks
that drained effluent to rivers. Such primitive disposal methods often gave rise to outbreaks of
illness associated with contaminated drinking water. A septic tank has three main functions:
 The separation of sewage fecal solids from liquid;
 The reduction of fecal solids and urine by anaerobic bacteria; and
 The storage of inorganic solids as fine silt on the tank floor, to be removed usually every
10-25 years.
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Septic systems are composed of two elements; the septic tank itself, which relies on anaerobic
bacteria to break down human sewage wastes over a period of around 21 days, and a soakaway
to disperse processed liquids. Septic systems are generally used to treat sewage from single
dwellings or small settlements in areas where a centralised municipal treatment system is not
available. If they are well managed septic tanks will run smoothly for many years if they are not
overloaded or contaminated by unsuitable discharges.
Natural anaerobic bacteria within the septic tank adapt to degrade human sewage to simple
biogas, water and inorganic materials. For this to happen the tank must be properly sized for the
load it is receiving and correctly constructed correctly with at least two chambers: a primary (solids
digester) and a secondary (maturation) tank. Furthermore the tank should only receive and
sewage water and not grey, or washing, water.
Figure 8.3: Section through a typical pre-cast concrete septic tank
Conventionally septic tanks are a box built with brick walls or concrete on a 150mm concrete
ground slab. Plastered and (preferably) epoxy painted, they must be water tight and not leak. The
effluent chambers are conventionally 1.8m deep with an effluent operating depth of 1.5m. The box
has a dividing wall, which is perforated (for example, three missing half bricks) approximately 1.1m
below the effluent surface and roughly 200mm-500mm above the floor.
The required size of a septic tank is calculated on the basis of the number toilet flushes per person
per day. On the basis of five flushes per person per day and a cistern capacity of 7.5 litres this
equates to 37.5 litres per day. Taking into account the required dwell time of 21 days this indicates
a minimum tank size of approximately 800 litres, or 0.8m³, per person. The table set out below
indicates provision standards for a range of applications likely to be encountered in the
development of the Tatev tourism area. Table 8.1 indicates the approximate dimensions and
capacities of septic tanks likely to be required in the study area.
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Persons
Single Dwelling
2 room Bed and Breakfast
4 room Bed and Breakfast
10 room Hotel
20 room Hotel
25 person Village
50 person Village
100 person Village
3
4
8
152
303
25
50
100
Septic Tank
Capacity(l)
Depth(m)
Length(m)
Width(m)
2,400
2,5601
5,120
9,600
19,200
20,000
40,000
80,000
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.8
1.8
2.04
2.0
1.6
1.70
2.27
4.26
5.33
5.55
8.0
16.0
1.0
1.0
1.5
1.5
2.0
2.0
2.5
2.5
Table 8.1: Typical septic tank dimensions and capacities
Figure 8.4: Example of pre-cast concrete septic tank
For larger settlement it may be necessary to identify alternative solution, in some of the larger and
more accessible communities such as Halidzor and Shinuhayr it may be more appropriate to
construct small package treatment plant which will be sized according to the catchment population.
In the United Kingdom the average person uses 150 litres of water per day, this figure is
considerable higher in the United States where the average person consumes 880 litres per day.
In the context of rural Armenia it is believed that the lower UK average is more appropriate and this
figure has been adopted for initial estimates. The total daily waste water throughput of a
community of 2000 persons would therefore be in the order of 300,000 litres (60,000 imperial
1
Assumes 80% average room occupancy
Assumes 1.5 persons per room average occupancy
3
Assumes 1.5 persons per room average occupancy
4
The maximum liquid depth of a septic tank in 2.1m
2
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gallons). This volume of throughput would justify the installation of a small package treatment plant
for the larger villages. The generation and recovery of methane gas from such plants for domestic
use in cooking and space heating should also be investigated
8.5 Mapping and Signage
Throughout the study area, and in common with all other areas visited, directional and
informational signage is weak and often inconsistent. Local road signs, where present, are variable
in design and appearance, often poorly sited and frequently compete for attention with a miasma of
advertising billboards. Directional signage on the National Highways, although more consistent in
design and appearance, fares little better in our evaluation. Signage is often confusing and fails to
direct the visitor to attractions in the most direct and logical route. Information signage mapping
and signage for the study area is poor, in fact almost inexistent.
With the proposed development of the Tatev area as a tourism destination it is of considerable
importance that a signage and mapping programme is implemented for the area, and on its
approach routes, in order to both direct and inform visitors to the area. This programme should
identify a suite of signage and mapping to be utilised in the area. This programme should cover:

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Tourism road signage: ‘brown’ tourism directional signage on approach routes to Tatev,
including the M24 route from Iran
Pedestrian trail signage: ‘brown’ pedestrian route signage panels within the tourism area
indicating footpaths and routes, distances and estimated walking time to attractions or
thematic routes.
Information and interpretative signage: illustrative information panels, such as the Tatev
panel set out below with key information on major attractions, to be placed along key
pedestrian routes.

Tatev area tourist map: an area specific tourist map for the Tatev tourism area indicating
routes, footpaths, attractions and natural features incorporating interpretative on all key
features as well as useful contact information for visitors.
Tourism signs and symbols should express their meaning in the most universal and simple
language possible. Signs or symbols are not grasped, understood or explained in the same terms
nor according to the same reasoning or based on the same premises, by psychoanalysts,
sociologists, people from the world of science or religion. The word “symbol” comes from the
Greek word “sum-bolon”, a “sign of recognition” - an object cut in two constituting a sign of
recognition when the bearers are able to put together the two parts. Symbols are required to act as
a bridge, to grasp a reality, which can only be expressed indirectly3. This is the reason why the
notion of the symbol may be very imprecise and may give rise to acceptations that are sometimes
contradictory4.
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X. Next Steps
This report is focused on the preparation of proposals in reference to the development of the Tatev
area in reference to ‘identifying tourism products consistent with the objective of developing the
destination and community-approved architectural design with a focus on faith-based tourism, as
well as having the area as a retreat for those craving the natural, healthy and holistic (tourism)’
Other planning development work completed for the area has had a particular focus on developing
the area for eco, nature and adventure tourism.
In order to define an integrated tourism development plan for the Tatev area it will be necessary to
merge both of these layers, including recommendations for community-based tourism, into a single
integrated and sustainable tourism development strategy for the area. Generally this next stage
should include the following outputs:
1. Integrated Master Plan: integrating outputs from the eco and adventure tourism report,
marketing and branding studies, and the present faith and well-being based tourism report
together with other associated outputs into a single integrated and sustainable tourism
development strategy for the Tatev area.
2. Development Programme and Costs: based on the Integrated Master Plan, the
preparation of a market led phased development programme for the Tatev area including
specific elements for the development of community-based tourism and human resource
development.
3. Outline Marketing Plan: based on the Integrated Master Plan an outline marketing plan for
the Tatev area should be prepared for the first five years of operations in the area. Stress
should be placed identifying core markets and core market segments and on integrating
marketing activities with the proposed new NTO
4. Institutional Recommendations: one of the principle objectives of tourism development in
the Tatev area is to provide much needed economic impetus to local communities creating
much needed jobs and arresting population decline as the young move out of the area in
search of employment. Additionally the development of tourism will potentially provide
funding to support municipal services and improvements to the area for the benefit of
visitors and residents. If these objectives are to be realized it will be necessary to ensure
that a high proportion of development benefits accrue to the area, an imperative that can
only be influenced by a local and equitable institutional structure formed of all key
stakeholders. Detailed recommendations should be prepared for the establishment of a
management framework, possibly in the form of a PPP, to guide and monitor
implementation, distribute benefits to local communities and take charge of some key
elements of local municipal services.
5. Investment and Marketing Materials: Central to the success of the Tatev development
proposals will be the ability of the management team to attract investors and investment into
the area, both for large scale developments and local community-based initiatives. To
achieve this it is initially necessary to prepare investment brochures and conditions setting
out in detail the nature of available investment opportunities.
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X. References
In the preparation of this report reference has been made to a number of external documents and
reports.
Principal references
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Brandt’s Guide to Armenia
Stone Garden Guide: Armenia
Lonely Planet guide: Armenia
Best Practice Guidelines, Integrating Biodiversity into the Tourism Sector, H.Ceballos –
Lascurain 2001 UNEP
Romania Tourism Master Plan, UNWTO
Limits of Acceptable Change and Natural Resource Planning, D.Cole and McCool 1998
The Ecolodge Source Book for Planners and Managers, D.Hawkins, et al, 1995,
Ecotourism Society
Ecotourism and Sustainable Development M.Honey 1999, Island Press
The Technical Guidance and Regulations for Environmental Impact Assessments 1997
Tourism Investment handbook, ADA 2008
Market Report on Adventure Tourism in Scotland, 2010, Tourism Innovation Group
EDMC Tourism Arrivals Survey, First Quarter 2013
Annex A: Terms of Reference
ANNEX A
SCOPE OF WORK
Objective:
The objective of this task is to assist the Tatev community in identifying tourism products consistent
with the objective of developing the destination and community-approved architectural design with
a focus on faith-based tourism, as well as having the area as a retreat for those craving the natural,
healthy and holistic.
Activities Description / Overview:
This is a complementary task to TW-BEI-205 to develop a PPP model for Tatev
destination management and to address legal impediments associated with said initiative for the
tourism destination. In close cooperation with NCFA, the international STTA Alessio Poluzzi is
currently working on the destination management plan with Tatev and the 9 surrounding village
communities with their authorities, as well as local governing bodies in the Syunik Marz.
Meanwhile, EDMC has hired a local consultant, Varuzhan Vardanyan, to address legal
impediments of the area being developed as a tourism destination.
In addition to the current developments, NCFA requested the development of an artistic unified
Architecture & Community Design. This will combine an introduction to the disciplines of tourism
product development, architecture, village planning, individual house and landscape design with a
strong emphasis on spiritual, natural and health tourism while melding into the ethnic and historical
background of the area. Tatev is known as the bishopric seat of Syunik Marz and has played a
significant role in the spiritual history of the region. The plan developed by the STTA should place
special emphasis on this fact to enhance activity.
Tasks:
The following tasks need to be implemented:
 Develop unique interdisciplinary Architecture & Community Design Plan;
 Submit to NCFA for first review;
 Submit to Syunik local governance bodies for approval.
Deliverables:
The following will be delivered upon completion of this task:
An Interdisciplinary Architecture & Community Design Plan.
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LOE for STTA
International
Jessamine
STTA
-
James o/a September 15– o/a October 15,
2013
Travel to/from post
2 days
Work in Tatev
4 days
Work with EDMC and NCFA staff and
draft the Architecture & Community
Design plan
Complete the
Architecture &
Community Design plan (from home)
Draft trip report (from home)
10 days
TOTAL
21 days
3 days
2 days
Location: Yerevan and Tatev, Armenia
Reporting:
While implementing this activity, VCC Tourism Senior Expert Armine Israyelyan will be responsible
for activity coordination. EDMC COP may amend the SOW for this assignment in consultation with
USAID.
57
USAID Enterprise Development and Market Competitiveness (EDMC)
Imperium Plaza Business Center, 4th floor
4/7 Amiryan Street, Yerevan 0010 Armenia
Tel: +374 60 51 61 00
E-mail:[email protected]
www.edmc.am
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