The ArcheTourDev Project (AID 013030/01/0) held its Steering Committee meeting , bringing together representatives of the project partners, representative of the Armenian Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, that is the national beneficiary (on behalf of Dr. Harutyun Vanyan) and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), donor representative (on behalf of Dr. Marco Focacci).
The online meeting was introduced by H.E. Alessandro Ferranti, Ambassador of Italy to Armenia, who took the opportunity to renew his appreciation and support for the work carried out within the framework of the ArcheTourDev project. He also highlighted that, through his own experience, he has been able to see how cultural cooperation between Italy and Armenia is contributing to increasing tourism to Armenian archaeological sites.
The Steering Committee was also attended by Dr. Emanuela Daffra, partner representative for the Opificio delle Pietre Dure, and Dr. Sergio Ferdinandi, partner representative for ISMEO and Project Coordinator for the Aruch activities.
Chaired by the University of Florence – SAGAS Department, (Prof. Michele Nucciotti General Project Coordinator, Dr. Lapo Somigli, Activity Manager and Dr. Catia Segnini, Project Manager) the meeting focused on the overall progress of the project and on the priorities for its third year of implementation. Particular attention was devoted to the conservation and enhancement of the archaeological sites of Garni, Dvin and Aruch, capacity-building activities, the development of an integrated cultural and tourism system, and the involvement of local communities in family-based tourism.
From planning to implementation
The Steering Committee reviewed the progress achieved across the four main results contributing to the project's Specific Objective: improving the tourist attractiveness and professional capacity of the hospitality and Cultural Resource Management (CRM) sector, while supporting the development of an integrated and sustainable tourism system in the project areas.
A major focus was placed on Result 1, concerning the conservation, accessibility and enhancement of the archaeological sites. At Garni, the conservation assessment of the mosaic surfaces and thermal structures was completed in 2025, while the restoration design was finalised in June 2026 and will be further reviewed in October 2026 in order to be approved by the Armenian authorities. Field activities are expected to start in October 2026. The project for the replacement of the thermal building roof and its musealisation has also been approved, pending the completion of the necessary geological surveys.
At Dvin, the restoration and reconstruction design for the Dig House and archaeological storeroom was completed in April 2026 and approved by the Scientific-Methodological Council of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports (MoESCS). The tender procedure for the works is planned to start in October.
At Aruch, the design for restoration, musealisation and museography was completed in March 2026 and pre-approved, pending required integrations, in May. Geological surveys were subsequently carried out, while the identification of the party responsible for implementing the planned interventions is expected in October-November 2026.
Overall, the project has now substantially completed the assessment and design phase for the three sites and is moving towards the operational phase, with conservation works and procedures for awarding the works scheduled to begin in autumn 2026.
Building an integrated cultural and tourism system
The Steering Committee also reviewed progress under Result 2, aimed at establishing an integrated cultural and tourism system connecting the archaeological sites with a broader territorial tourism offer.
During 2026, promotional activities for the new integrated tourism district and the project sites were launched. Among the first international initiatives was the presentation of ArcheTourDev at TourismA 2026 in Florence, where project-related content and the territorial system linking Garni, Dvin and Aruch were presented and disseminated.
Online and offline press office activities have also been carried out to increase the visibility of the project and its archaeological sites, together with communication activities targeting specialised media. These initiatives represent the first phase of the project's wider communication and promotion strategy and contribute to building the identity of the integrated cultural and tourism system.
Strengthening skills and professional capacities
Capacity building was another key topic discussed during the meeting. Under Result 3, the project is developing training programmes designed to strengthen the skills of Armenian professionals involved in the conservation and management of archaeological heritage.
The training of mosaic restorers began at Garni in 2025, linking theoretical and practical learning with the conservation of the site's mosaic surfaces.
In 2026, the Cultural Resource Management training programme for site managers was defined and approved by the MoESCS, with the selection of trainees completed in July. The training is scheduled to start in October.
Training for earthen-architecture restorers has also progressed. Trainers have been appointed and the programme approved by the MoESCS, while the selection of trainees is expected to be completed by 15 October. Training is scheduled to begin on 9 November 2026.
The autumn therefore represents a particularly important phase for the project's capacity-building activities, with the three training pathways either already under way or moving into their implementation stage.
Local communities at the centre of tourism development
The meeting also examined Result 4, which focuses on family-based tourism and the involvement of local communities.
During the Local Implementing Committees meetings held in 2025 and 2026, the project presented and discussed with the participating municipalities the model for developing family-based hospitality services and the related co-host training programme.
Since June 2026, the project has been mapping tourism-related values and resources in the territories involved. This activity, which will continue until December, will provide a knowledge base for developing the territorial tourism offer.
At the same time, between June and October 2026, properties potentially suitable for inclusion in the family-based hospitality circuit are being mapped. The preparation and publication of notices for residents of the participating municipalities is planned for October, marking the next step towards the selection and training of future co-hosts.
Priorities for the coming months
The Steering Committee concluded its review by focusing on the main priorities for the October–December 2026 period.
The project is entering a significant transition phase, moving from technical planning and preparation towards the operational implementation of its main activities. The priorities identified include the launch of conservation interventions and works-award procedures at Garni, Dvin and Aruch; the implementation of training programmes for restorers and site managers; the continuation and completion of territorial mapping; and the launch of the selection and training process for future co-hosts.
At the same time, communication and promotional activities will continue to support the development of the integrated cultural and tourism system and strengthen the visibility of the three archaeological sites.
The September 2026 Steering Committee therefore marked an important milestone for ArcheTourDev: the project is moving into a phase in which the technical work and institutional coordination developed during the first stages will increasingly translate into concrete interventions, new professional skills and opportunities for sustainable cultural tourism in the project areas.