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Wings of Tatev was recognized as the winner of the 28th World Travel Awards in the World's Leading Cable Car Ride 2021 category, and Armenia is the winner in the World's Leading Heritage Destination 2021 category, the Tourism and Urbanism (TUF) Charitable Foundation reported on Thursday.

Given the gradual recovery in global tourism following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, receiving the top tourism award this year is more important and valuable for Armenia than ever before.

Wings of Tatev is the longest (5752 m) reversible aerial cable car in the world, and has served more than 1 million visitors in 11 years. Thanks to this world-class award, Wings of Tatev can record new achievements, as well as successfully continue its work on raising awareness about Armenia and Tatev in the international tourism market.

"This achievement has once again proved the fact that Tatev Monastery and Wings of Tatev are one of the main and significant tourist destinations for Armenia and the region, and Wings of Tatev cable car meets the highest international standards," said Vahe Baghdasaryan, Director of Wings of Tatev.

World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward, and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries.

"The participation and victory of Armenia in such a world-class award ceremony in both nominations make the country more recognizable in international markets. It is necessary to use such opportunities and strengthen Armenia's position as a world's leading heritage destination and a leading cable car ride through continuous marketing campaigns," said Gayane Ayvazyan, Public Relations Expert of the Tourism Committee of the Armenian Ministry of Economy.

The collaboration with World Travel Awards was launched by the Tourism and Urbanism (TUF) Charitable Foundation in June 2021. A cooperation agreement was signed to develop the capacity of specialists in the field of tourism and tourism infrastructure in Armenia.

As part of the cooperation, TUF Foundation organized a visit of Graham Cooke, the Founder and the Director of the World Travel Awards, to Armenia. In the course of the tour, Mr. Cooke visited the most spectacular and attractive touristic sites in Armenia. He got acquainted with Armenian culture, history, traditions, and national cuisine.

About the Tourism and Urbanism (TUF) Charitable Foundation

In July 2020 the Tourism and Urbanism (TUF) Charitable Foundation undertook the projects by the IDeA Foundation targeted at the tourism and urbanism development (in Dilijan, Tatev, Artsakh, and Yerevan). The Foundation develops innovative projects in tourism and urbanism, promotes sustainable regional development and positions Armenia on the world map as a competive tourism destination.