PLAN OF ACTION OF THE

BSEC WORKING GROUP ON COOPERATION IN TOURISM

2025–2026

 

Country-Coordinator:

Tourism Committee · Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia

 

  1. Introduction and Context:

Tourism represents one of the most dynamic sectors of the Black Sea region, contributing substantially to economic growth, cultural exchange, and social cohesion. Recognizing its transformative potential, the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) has identified tourism as a strategic cooperation area under Goal 8: “Development of Tourism, Protection of Cultural Heritage and Promotion of Modern Culture” of the BSEC Economic Agenda.

The Working Group on Cooperation in Tourism (WGCT), established in 1994, serves as the key mechanism for coordination, policy dialogue, and joint project development among the BSEC Member States.

The Tourism Committee of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia assumes the role of the Country Coordinator for the 2025–2026 period. It will build on ongoing cooperation to strengthen regional tourism integration, promote the BSEC region as a unified destination, and align tourism development with sustainability and innovation principles.

The Action Plan draws on BSEC’s strategic documents, past Action Plans, and ongoing initiatives, incorporating strong inter-sectoral cooperation with culture, education, SMEs, transport, environment, investment, and other strategic areas.

  1. Vision and General Objective:

To facilitate a discussion of all Member States as how to transform the Black Sea region into a competitive, sustainable and recognized tourism destination, through enhanced regional cooperation, responsible tourism development and innovation.

  1. Specific Objectives:
  • Promote the BSEC region as a unified and attractive tourism destination.
  • Strengthen cooperation in tourism policy, education, and product diversification.
  • Integrate sustainability into all regional tourism activities.
  • Encourage innovation and digital transformation across tourism ecosystems.
  • Foster intersectoral linkages connecting tourism with culture, education, and environment.
  1. Priority Areas and Key Actions:

A. Promotion of the BSEC Region as a Unified Tourism Destination

Objective Key Activities Expected Outputs Responsible / Partners
A1. Strengthen regional and global partnerships
  • Promote cooperation with UN Tourism and other global partners.
  • Foster BSEC visibility at international tourism exhibitions and fairs hosted by the member states.
 New collaboration frameworks, higher visibility and recognition. PERMIS, UN Tourism, Member States

B. Sustainable and Cultural Tourism Development

Objective Key Activities Expected Outputs Responsible / Partners
B1. Promote cultural and thematic tourism routes
  • Update and expand the Black Sea Cultural Route.
  • Develop 2–3 new thematic routes (cultural, wine & gastronomy, adventure including winter, wellness including recreational and medical, rural including nature-based and eco-tourism).
  • Prepare marketing or other promotional materials.
 New thematic tourism routes and cross-border itineraries. Member States
B3. Support community-based and rural tourism
  • Exchange good practices on nature-based tourism, agrotourism and eco-tourism.
 Compendium of best practices. PERMIS, Member States, FAO, UN Tourism Best Villages, other stakeholders

C. Tourism Education, Capacity Building, Digital Innovation, and Student Engagement

Objective Key Activities Expected Outputs Responsible / Partners
Engage students to propose innovative solutions
  • Launch a regional online competition open to tourism and IT students.
  • Innovative student ideas for tourism services and digital solutions.
  • Regional showcase and youth engagement.
  • Practical outputs for SMEs and authorities.
  • Strengthened cross-border collaboration.
 PERMIS, Tourism WGs, Universities
Enhance digital services for SMEs and attractions
  • Students co-develop online maps, virtual tours, AR/VR storytelling.
  • Test solutions with surveys and virtual feedback.
  • Share prototypes through webinars.
  • Improved digital visitor experience.
  • Students gain practical skills.
  • SMEs receive low-cost innovation.
 Universities, SMEs, Member States, PERMIS
Strengthen tourism education, research, and academic cooperation
  • Organize an online forum of tourism universities.
  • Share curricula and training modules.
  • Encourage student and faculty exchanges and joint research.
  • Offer online training scholarships.
  • Regional academic network.
  • Harmonized training standards.
  • Increased collaboration.
  • Wider access to training through scholarships.
 PERMIS, Universities, Training Institutes, WGs

D. Investment and Private Sector Engagement

Objective Key Activities Expected Outputs Responsible / Partners
D1. Facilitate tourism investment and partnerships
  • Exchange information on investment climate and statistical data.
  • Share information on investment projects and success stories.
  • Promote PPPs and tourism-investment-related business forums.
 New partnerships and investment opportunities. PERMIS, Member States, National Investment Agencies

  1. Working Group Meetings:
  • 1st Meeting (online): December 3, 2025
  • 2nd Meeting: 2nd–3rd semesters, 2026 in Yerevan (TBC)
  1. Cooperation with Other BSEC Bodies:
  • Exploring the possibility of organizing a joint meeting with other BSEC WGs on topics of common interest.
  1. List of Representatives / National Contact Points:

Sona Hovhannisyan (Ms.)
Head of International Cooperation Department
Tourism Committee of the Ministry of Economy of RA
Email: shovhannisyan@mineconomy.am
Tel.: +374 91258481 (WhatsApp)