Information Note Madrid, August 2012

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON “UNIVERSAL VALUES AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY: HOW CAN TOURISM MAKE A DIFFERENCE?”

YEREVAN (), 18-19 OCTOBER 2012

DATES AND PLACE

1. The World Tourism Organization and the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia are jointly convening an International Conference on “Universal Values and Cultural Diversity in the 21st Century: How can tourism make a difference?” on 18 and 19 October 2012. This conference is open to the participation of UNWTO Member States, Affiliate Members and other invited delegations, representatives of the Armenian tourism sector, as well as officials of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia.

2. The Conference will be held at:

ARMENIA MARRIOT HOTEL Ararat Ballroom Tel. + 374 10 599 243 - Fax: + 374 10 599256 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.marriottarmenia.com

REPLIES TO INVITATIONS

3. Participants are requested to register online at: http://tourismevents.am/User/Register.aspx by 22 September 2012. All inquiries regarding registration should be made at the following addresses:

Ministry of : Inquiries on accommodation and transport: Mr. Artur Lalayan, Head of Division of Administrative Ms. Alla Hovhannisyan, Head of MICE Department Statistics and Analysis – Tourism Department “RUMEA” Tempting Trips Club LLC Tel. +374 10 597 157 - Fax. + 374 10 526 577 Tel. +374 10 323141 E-mail: [email protected] Mobile: +374 93 539 086 Fax.: +374 10 329929 World Tourism Organization (UNWTO): E-mail: [email protected] Ms. Matilde Duran, Regional Programme for Europe Website : www.rumea.am and www.rumeaclub.am Tel. 34-91-567 8209 - Fax. 34-91-571 3733 Email: [email protected]

Conference on Universal Values and Cultural Diversity in the 21st Century (18-19 October 2012)

STATUS OF PARTICIPANTS

4. The Government of the Republic of Armenia will take the necessary steps to facilitate the arrival and departure of participants invited by the Organization, as well as their stay in Armenia. Throughout their stay, participants will enjoy the privileges and immunities provided for in the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations of 13 February 1946.

ENTRY FORMALITIES

5. A valid passport is necessary for visitors coming to the Republic of Armenia. Nationals of the following countries, Members of UNWTO, do not require a visa to enter Armenia:

Argentina Kyrgyz Republic* Tajikistan* * Republic of Moldova Russian Federation Uzbekistan* Kazakhstan Republic of Belarus

* The visa requirement waiver is practiced on ad hoc basis, and is not formalised by a bilateral agreement

6. Visas are not required for citizens of the following countries holding Diplomatic and/or service passports (based on the principle of reciprocity), as indicated below:

Brazil Diplomatic and Service passports only Diplomatic passports only Diplomatic, Service passports and passports for Public Affairs only Diplomatic and Service passports only Cyprus Diplomatic and Service passports only Egypt Diplomatic, Official and Service passports only Diplomatic passports only France Diplomatic passports only Diplomatic and Service passports only India Diplomatic passports only Diplomatic and Service passports only Diplomatic and Service passports only Diplomatic passports only Mexico Diplomatic and Service passports only Montenegro Diplomatic and Service passports only Diplomatic passports only Diplomatic passports only Romania Diplomatic and Service passports only Diplomatic and Service passports only Singapore* Diplomatic and Service passports only Slovak Republic Diplomatic and Service passports only Diplomatic passports only Diplomatic passports only Syria Diplomatic, Official and Service passports only Turkmenistan Diplomatic and Service passports only Diplomatic passports only Uruguay Diplomatic and Official passports only * The visa requirement waiver is practiced on ad hoc basis, and is not formalised by a bilateral agreement

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Conference on Universal Values and Cultural Diversity in the 21st Century (18-19 October 2012)

7. Holders of diplomatic, special or service passports of other countries, as well as UN Laissez-passer are required to obtain a visa to enter the Republic of Armenia. They can obtain visa only at the diplomatic representations or consular offices of the Republic of Armenia.

8. Holders of national passports and travel documents of countries other than those listed in Paragraph 5 are required to obtain a visa to enter the Republic of Armenia.

9. Holders of national passports and travel documents of countries, except of those listed in Paragraph 10 may obtain visa upon arrival at the Zvartnots International Airport and all other border check-points as well as online at: https://evisa.mfa.am. They can also be obtained at the diplomatic representations or consular offices of the Republic of Armenia.

10. Holders of national passports and travel documents of the following countries can obtain visa only at the diplomatic representations or consular offices of the Republic of Armenia: China, India, Sri Lanka, Syria, Egypt, Pakistan, , Palestine, , Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Angola, Algeria, Morocco, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan, Vietnam, Nepal, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Libya, Mauritania, Tunisia, Zambia, Equatorial Guinea, Botswana, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Senegal, Namibia, Mozambique, Mauritius, Mali, Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Chad, Zimbabwe, Benin, Rwanda, Malawi, Guinea, Swaziland, Togo, Lesotho, Eritrea, Central African Republic, Cape Verde, Burundi, Djibouti, Gambia, Liberia, Seychelles, Guinea Bissau, Comoros, San Tomé and Príncipe, Saint Helena and Southern Sudan.

11. The Government of the Republic of Armenia will assist registered participants of the Conference in issuing the visa. For this, they are requested to make sure to check the appropriate box while registering online for the Conference. All inquiries regarding visa issuance can be made at [email protected]

INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT

12. Austrian Airlines, as official carrier of the Conference, offers a 15% discount (including taxes) for participants of the Conference as per the following details:

- Booking period: from now until 19 October 2012 - Valid for flights to and return as of 11 October 2012 until 26 October 2012 (final date for return flight) on OS flight numbers. - To take advantage of the discounted rates make sure to use the eVoucher/Gutschein code UVCD12 while booking the flight online at www.austrian.com

TRANSFERS

13. The Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia will arrange free transport for all participants on arrival and at departure from Zvartnots International Airport, as well as return transport between their hotels and the meeting place. All participants are therefore requested to fill in the flight details while registering for the Conference.

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Conference on Universal Values and Cultural Diversity in the 21st Century (18-19 October 2012)

ACCOMMODATION

14. Special discounted rates have been obtained for registered participants of the Conference at the following hotels.

HOTEL ROOM TYPE SPECIAL RATE1

Executive Level Deluxe 152 000 AMD (single) ( 305 EUR)

Executive Level Deluxe 165 000 AMD (double) ( 330 EUR) ARMENIA MARRIOTT HOTEL YEREVAN Junio Suite 263 000 AMD (Conference venue) (single occupancy) (530 EUR)

Junior Suite 275 000 AMD (double occupancy) (555 EUR)

Single 61 000 AMD ( 120 EUR) GOLDEN TULIP HOTEL YEREVAN Double 77 000 AMD ( 155 EUR)

Single 36 500 AMD (70 EUR) BEST WESTERN CONGRESS HOTEL ****2 Double 52 500 AMD ( 105 EUR)

Single 35 000 AMD ( 70 EUR)

Junior Suite 52 000 AMD ANI PLAZA HOTEL (single occupancy) (105 EUR)

Junior Suite 57 000 AMD (double occupancy) (115 EUR)

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Conference on Universal Values and Cultural Diversity in the 21st Century (18-19 October 2012)

Ani King 49 000 AMD (single occupancy) (100 EUR)

Ani King 54 000 AMD (double occupancy) (110 EUR)

Single 36 000 AMD ( 70 EUR)

Double 44 000 AMD METROPOL HOTEL****2 (90 EUR)

Senior Suite 55 000 AMD (110 EUR)

Single 24 000 AMD (50 EUR) HOTEL Deluxe Single 36 500 AMD (70 EUR)

Single 22 000 AMD (45 EUR) REGINEH HOTEL***2 Double 25 000 AMD (50 EUR)

1 The special rates are given per night and include 20% VAT and breakfast. 2 In the Republic of Armenia hotels are classified on voluntary basis. The star classification indicated reflects the class of the hotel as per the official classification by RA Ministry of Economy.

Prices in Euros are only indicative, based on the exchange rate for 25 July 2012, as provided by the .

15. To take advantage of these rates, participants are requested to make their reservations online at http://tourismevents.am/Accommodation.aspx

16. Rooms will be blocked for the participants at the official hotels until 30 September 2012. Please note that the rooms will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. For cancellation policies for each hotel, please refer to http://tourismevents.am/Accommodation.aspx

REGISTRATION AND IDENTIFICATION BADGES

17. A Registration Desk will be available at the venue one day before the commencement of the meetings. Badges will be issued at the time of registration.

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Conference on Universal Values and Cultural Diversity in the 21st Century (18-19 October 2012)

WORKING LANGUAGES

18. The working language of the Conference will be English, Russian and Armenian. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided in these languages and the documents will be available in English, Russian and Armenian (Programme, Concept Note and Information Note).

SOCIAL PROGRAMME

19. A social programme has been prepared for the participants of the Conference. The detailed and regularly updated programme is available at: http://tourismevents.am/Page/EN/Agenda.aspx

17 October 2012 Welcome Cocktail at Cucina (TBC), Armenia Marriott Hotel. 18 October 2012  Lunch at Armenia Brasserie, Armenia Marriott Hotel.  Visit to the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin.  Dinner at Agape Dining Hall, Echmiadzin.  Armenian Brandy tasting and national dress show at Zvartnots” Historical-Cultural Museum-Reserve.

19 October 2012  Lunch at Armenia Brasserie, Armenia Marriott Hotel.  Visit to Garni pagan temple. Duduk music.  Visit to Geghard Monastery. Church choir.  Gala Dinner with cultural program.

TOUR PROGRAMMES

20. The local organizers have prepared daily post-conference tour programmes for the participants who wish to stay after the Conference, over 20 and 21 October 2012. Inquiries and reservations for the tour programmes shall be made before 19 October 2012 at 18:00 at the Registration Desk of the Conference venue and the information desks at the designated hotels.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Exchange rate The local currency of Armenia is the (AMD). The current exchange rate, as per July 2012 is USD 1= 415 AMD Currency can be officially changed in banks, exchange offices and hotels. Credit cards are accepted in all major hotels and shops. ATMs are operating 24 hours.

Weather The average temperature in Yerevan in the month of October ranges from a low of 15º to a high of 24º

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Conference on Universal Values and Cultural Diversity in the 21st Century (18-19 October 2012)

Local time and The local time is GMT+3. Banks are open 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday. Some Business hours banks operate also on Saturdays until the afternoon.

Language Armenian is the official language of the Republic of Armenia. Russian and English are widely spoken.

Electric power In Armenia, the electrical current is 220V 50 Hz. Socket type: Europlug

Clothing Participants are advised to take clothing suitable for mild autumn weather. For meetings, men generally wear a jacket and a tie and women wear normal business attire.

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