Developing a B&B Network in Armenia
In March of 2003, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Foley, Bed & Breakfast
(B&B) owners from the state of Maine, USA, traveled to Armenia
to conduct a series of training sessions, consisting of one-on-one
consultations with Armenian B&B owners. Begun in August
of 2002, the B&B training was part of USAID’s effort
to assist the government of Armenia to develop its tourism and
hospitality industry in rural areas in order to raise the standard
of living in these communities, create new jobs, and increase
the financial security of regional residents. As International
Executive Service Corps (IESC) volunteers, the Foleys presented
lessons learned from their own experience as B&B owners
in the US. They shared their knowledge and skills in operating
their own B&Bs by offering suggestions about internal design,
facilities, and services pricing issues, and marketing of B&Bs
in Armenia. The Foleys recommended ways for the local B&Bs
to establish relationships with local travel agencies and international
organizations, which could be viewed as potential clients. In
addition, information about the B&Bs operating in Armenia
was collected for the centralized database of the Armenian Information
Service.
The Foleys’ training was a follow-on to a series of trainings
conducted by two Armenian training providers, Apricot Plus/Aries
Avetik Tours and the Business Support Center in the fall of
2002. The Armenian organizations provided training for B&B
owners in four marzes of Armenia that are considered major tourist
destinations: Syunik and Vayots Dzor (in the south), and Lori
and Tavoush Dzor (in the north). Each provider conducted two
five-day training sessions in each marz, and followed up with
on-site consultations with every participant.
This training program focused on one aspect of the tourism
and hospitality industry, the B&B sector, which presents
an attractive and relatively low-cost investment opportunity
for many Armenian families living in rural and small urban areas
adjacent to Armenia’s main historical sites. Designed
to help develop the capacity of B&B owners and managers
to operate efficient and profitable businesses, the participants
received training in customer service, communication skills,
management, finance, business planning and marketing, as well
offering them networking opportunities.
As a result of the training, many participants have either
opened their own B&Bs or have begun or completed renovations
to expand their B&B services. In addition, AED, in cooperation
with the trainers and regional B&B coordinators, plans to
conduct a follow-up workshop on the development of B&Bs
in Armenia for up to 25 B&B owners from all 4 marzes. Other
planned activities include the development of a B&B association
at the national and regional levels, the marketing of B&Bs
through the Armenian Information Center web site, and the creation
of a B&B rating system setup managed by the B&B owners
themselves.
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