By Artur Hakobyan
The world economic crisis affected the world tourist industry, without, however, affecting faith tourism. In this context, Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Ertuğrul Günay seeks to promote faith tourism, particularly on Akhtamar Island, Lake Van, reported Vatan.
According to the World Religious Travel Association (WRTA), faith tourism is most rapidly developing throughout the world. Every fourth tourist prefers faith tourism.
In January-June, 2010, 4.5% of the tourists that visited Turkey preferred faith tourism. The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism plans to increase the number of faith tourists up to 3m. Minister Ertuğrul Günay has always attached importance to faith tourism development, pointing out that faith tourists normally spend much more than those preferring seaside holiday.
In this context Turkey attaches high importance to the opening of Surb Khach (Holy Cross) Church on Akhtamar Island for religious ceremonies on September 19, as well as to a program of ensuring uninterrupted flow of Armenian pilgrims to Van.
Abdullah Tunçdemir, Head of the Van regional department, the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies, said developing faith and cultural tourism is the only way of developing Van. He added that numerous Armenian historical monuments are located in the region. Abdullah Tunçdemir underlined the importance of restoring the monuments for turning Van into a tourists’ paradise and placing them at Armenians’ disposal.
The Van Governor signed a decree ordering a proper opening ceremony of Surb Khach Church and hosting Armenian guests. A copy of the decree was sent to the Residence of the Constantinople Patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Under the decree a special commission was set up to organize the work. It also contained a list of prices for rooms at Van hotels and for travel packages.
The Holy See decided to send a delegation to the opening ceremony of Surb Khach Church. In its turn, the RA Public Council called on Armenians not to take part in the show to be organized by Turks.
Armenian society is divided over Armenians’ participation in the opening ceremony.
Specifically, the expert in Turkic studies Artak Shakaryan believes the Armenian side should take advantage of the precedent and get the issue of opening other Armenian churches in Turkey put on the agenda.
