Locals will also pay for tramway
The residents of 6 communities in Tatev and Halidzor villages of Syunik province still don't see the development that the "Tatev Rebirth" project had promised. After the exploitation of the "Wings of Tatev" aerial tramway, community residents notice a rise of tourism, but they say that has no impact on their living standards. The residents also say they invite tourists to their homes, treat them and see them off without taking any money from them.
"Wings of Tatev" aerial tramway manager Tigran Ghazaryan told "A1+" that the locals still don't understand where the income is coming from. According to Ghazaryan, residents of Tatev, as well as the residents of other villages are not very much used to the culture of selling their products in a duly manner.
"Several months or a year is not enough for them to see real changes," said Ghazaryan, adding that one of the changes is that whereas before a large part of the community residents were not able to travel due to the impassable roads or bad weather, now they can move freely via the tramway.
Tigran Ghazaryan says the "Tatev Rebirth" project is a benevolent program, but it doesn't justify itself as a business plan. "The profit we get from the rope-way is still not enough to cover some expenses."
Nearly 500-600 passengers ride the aerial tramway every week, and 30 percent of them are residents of the local 6 communities riding at no cost. However, the villagers say they will have to pay to sit on the tramway starting in October. Ghazaryan confirmed that, mentioning that the "Tatev Rebirth" project correspondents and benefactors had previously announced that the nearly 500 residents of 6 nearby communities could ride on the tramway once every day for only a year. However, he added that that timeframe may either be extended or the residents will be able to ride the rope-way at a discounted price.
Tigran Ghazaryan added that it is foreseen to hold free lessons for residents to set up their businesses near the tramway.
