The Hospitality Investment Forum (HIF) Yerevan 2025 brought together international business leaders, government officials, and development partners in the Armenian capital to promote tourism-driven economic development, attract investment, and position Armenia as a competitive destination on the global hospitality map.
The forum aimed to foster dialogue on strategic partnerships, sustainable development, and economic transformation through tourism. Speaking at the event, Armenia’s Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan emphasized the country’s commitment to becoming an innovation-driven, high-value economy actively integrated into the global market.
“Tourism and investment in this sector are key to transforming our economy,” Papoyan noted. “Our government’s consistent policies are evident in initiatives such as the successfully completed Local Economy and Infrastructure Development Program (LEIDP) and the newly launched Tourism and Regional Infrastructure Project (TRIP). The latter will focus on seven regional clusters — Goris, Areni, Yeghegis, Jermuk, Gyumri, Dilijan, and Dvin.”
Papoyan reaffirmed the Ministry’s role as both coordinator and policymaker in these initiatives, highlighting tourism as a vital tool for unlocking Armenia’s economic potential, stimulating regional development, attracting private investment, and creating quality jobs.
The event attracted hundreds of participants from the U.S., UK, France, UAE, Russia, Czech Republic, Georgia, Qatar, Romania, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Oman, and other countries. Representatives of major global hotel chains — including Accor, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, Radisson, and Wyndham — were among the attendees.
UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia Françoise Jacob, Deputy Minister of Economy Edgar Zakaryan, and other high-level stakeholders were also present. Zakaryan participated in a panel discussion titled “Advancing the Hospitality Ecosystem: Strategic Infrastructure, Public Financing, and International Programs.”
Throughout the forum, panel discussions were held on key topics such as hospitality ecosystem development, market trends, risk management, sustainable tourism, destination branding, regional tourism, and cluster-based development.
The investment forum was organized by Stone Development.
