The Tourism Committee of Armenia informs that the statements attributed by the media to the Chairperson of the Committee, regarding a purported requirement for the country’s hotel service providers to establish separate prayer spaces for representatives of other religions, do not correspond to reality, the Tourism Committee of Armenia noted in a statement. The latter continues as follows:

“To clarify the situation: On February 5 of this year, during a meeting held at the Ministry of Economy with hotel service providers, the list of target countries for 2025 was presented, from which an increased number of tourist visits to the Republic of Armenia is expected.

The Chairman of the Tourism Committee, emphasizing the need to strengthen Armenia's image as a favorable and attractive tourist destination in target markets, informed the hotel service providers that those who wish to increase tourist visits from members of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf and other Arab countries may, if possible, offer services that meet tourists' dietary preferences or religious requirements.

In this context, no requirement was made for hotel establishments to have designated prayer spaces.

We also inform you that the activities of individuals providing hotel services are not subject to licensing, and therefore it is impossible to revoke their licenses. The "Law on Tourism" only provides for making the activities of hotel service providers subject to notification.

Therefore, we call on our media partners to refrain from spreading unverified information that misleads the public, tarnished reputations, and creates unnecessary tension.”