EcoLur has released its new video, “A Journey Through Flavors: Gastronomic Tourism in Armenia,” produced within the framework of “Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia” (LILA) project. The video features LILA project beneficiaries - regional entrepreneurs who are breathing new life into Armenia’s emerging gastronomic tourism scene. Living and working in Armenia’s regions, they invest in their communities and invite both local and international visitors to explore the rich and diverse tastes of Armenian cuisine.
In Gladzor Village, Vayots Dzor, Norik Mkrtchyan has launched “Nor Tours” gastro yard. Guests can enjoy homemade wine, seasonal dishes, jams, teas made from local herbs, and take part in interactive cheese-making and fruit brandy distillation workshops.
Nearby in Vernashen, Edgar Beglaryan and his family have founded the “Poonch” canning factory. With support from the project, they have opened a tasting hall where visitors sample their products and enjoy a unique gastronomic experience.
In Yelpin, Arthur Nazaryan, founder of “ArtCheese” dairy, has also opened a tasting room. There, he offers 12 varieties of cheese, a welcoming atmosphere, and the essence of traditional Armenian hospitality.
In Areni, the story’s heroine is a woman—Mariam Simonyan—who has realized her long-held dream of opening her own kitchen and serving traditional Armenian meals to visitors. At “Sheram”, she prepares dishes and snacks based on once-forgotten local recipes.
These culinary ventures are often inspired and supported by newly published cookbooks dedicated to traditional cuisine from the Tavush, Lori, and Vayots Dzor regions. The recipes were collected and preserved by the “Development and Preservation of Armenian Culinary Traditions” NGO.
The video was produced within the “Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia” (LILA) project, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by WWF-Armenia in partnership with Strategic Development Agency (SDA) NGO.
July 10, 2025 at 10:46