NEW TARIFFS FOR TICKET PRICE HAVE BEEN SET FOR THE MUSEUMS OPERATING UNDER THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE BY THE DECREE OF THE MINISTER OF CULTURE OF RA.

NEW TARIFFS FOR TICKET PRICE HAVE BEEN SET FOR THE MUSEUMS OPERATING UNDER THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE BY THE DECREE OF THE MINISTER OF CULTURE OF RA.

2017-09-08T13:24:24+00:00 01/08/2017|Recent News|

It suggests a change of ticket price in all museums. From yesterday on the increase of ticket price tariffs in “Garni” museum-reserve is actively discussed in mass media. How much will the citizen of RA and foreign tourist pay and what new services will be provided to visitors. The director of the Protection Service NCSO Ara Tarverdyan answered the questions of “Armenpress”.

“Mr. Tarverdyan, are the conversations concerning the increase of ticket price tariffs in “Garni” museum-reserve correct and how much will the visitor of Garni and Zvartnoc pay from now on?”

-Thank you for the opportunity. Indeed, there has been a turmoil in public because of the news, so there is a need to clarify. There exists a distinguished approach of ticket sale. Till now the ticket price for the locals was 250 AMD, and 1000 AMD for foreigners. Now 500 AMD has been set for the locals and 1500 AMD for foreigners. I would like to mention at first that nobody should be concerned about how much a foreigner spends in our country. Moreover, we should lead by “the more, the better” principle. Why have the prices increased. The point is that from March of this year NCSO has adopted new policy, implementing more active operations in museum-reserves, which suggests a development of infrastructures and activation of cultural life. What concerns the infrastructures I can mention that in Garni and Zvartnoc such works have been done which have been so far neglected. Even the ongoing repair works that could be done at a proper level were done in such a way that they need to be repeated over and over again. In order to clarify what I mean I will bring an example. For years the roof of “Zvartnoc” historical-cultural museum-reserve has needed to be repaired . It has been renovated every other spring, whereas more money could be spent on it but repair it once and forever. The same can be told about “Garni”. For almost a year the irrigation system was disrupted. The museum-reserve will, however, have irrigation water in a few days and the landscape of Garni will attract the attention of visitors soon.

“I would like you to tell in details what projects you mean”.

“Many projects are planned to be implemented in Garni and Zvartnoc. They are still in the project level, which suggests a serious financial overload for NCSO and naturally are not visual to our citizens. In 2004 with the help of Lincy foundation a part of Garni’s bathroom and mosque were renovated. Without trying to overshadow someone’s work I should mention that it wasn’t done properly. With the support of the minister of culture of RA a solution was given to this problem. Italian architect Luccio Speca’s project is already ready, which, I’m not afraid to say, is an expensive project and corresponds to the standards of international architecture and museum-reserves. In the nearest future visitors will have the opportunity to see the bathroom and mosque from different angles. Next is the construction of the museum for archaeological items, for which financial means are needed. It will include infrastructures, as well as souvenir shops. IN 1976 the pavement was quite worn, and I have witnessed what inconveniences it causes for visitors. For many years nobody thought of solving the problem of road access to people with disabilities. This problem is also in the center of our attention and modern elevators will be placed for them. We also got complaints about garbage bins and benches. We already have the design, and now are negotiating with the manufacturers. A design of landscape is planned also for the little green covered area in front of the temple. And of course negotiations are led for implementing investment programs.

“Mr Tarverdyan you talked about various projects, which need big financial supports. Will the increase of ticket price tariffs help to solve them?”

While setting new tariffs the social condition of the society has been taken into consideration. Tariffs set for foreigners is the other side of medal. In no other country will you be able to enter a museum-reserve for 2 Euros. In Europe museum-reserves like Garni temple the entry ticket costs 15 and more Euros. The advantage is the good infrastructures on which much money has been wasted and received respectable incomes.

“Now let’s return to the ticket prices. Please reassure how much does the visit to Garni cost for RA citizens and foreigners?”

“I would like you to thoroughly study our price policy, which has recently been set. RA citizens will way 500 AMD, ticket price for children up to 18 has remained unchanged – 100 AMD, 50 {e8056ceb10a71b17f41188de28b79f10f191c155dfa2f2f07261eed1f2f6e59f} discount is set for professional universities. Advantages also get pensioners, participants of wars in Artsakh. If previously 1500 AMD was paid for seeing Garni in night lights, now the price is 500 AMD. Visitor pays for seeing something. It means that he should get information from the entrance of the museum, which suggests installation of appropriate billboards. The prices for excursion tickets have also increased. We appreciate the work of the guide and his profession. Guide is a qualified person having knowledge about Armenian history and foreign languages and I think that it must become an attractive, highly paid and serious profession.

The ministry of culture of RA has given a price “corridor” to the NCSO in setting tariffs. It is not excluded that in the passive tourism level a fall of tariffs may happen or vice versa. It is simple economics.

“Mr. Tarverdyan “Metsamor” museum-reserve is also one of NCSO’s branches. Is it true that visitors to “Metsamor” should also buy tickets?”

“Yes, NCSO has financial overload in this museum as well. Ticket price tariffs set in Metsamor are as follows: 250 AMD for RA citizens, 1000 AMD for foreign tourists and 100 AMD for schoolchildren. 1500 AMD will be paid excursion in Armenian and 2500 in a foreign language. I think that in the nearest future all museum-reserves will also pass to ticket economy. A few months ago “Amberd” and “Berd” were also added to this number by the parliament’s decision. The renovation of “Amberd” temple is also in the center of our attention”.