The 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) has opened in Yerevan. Delegations from around the world, including scientists, representatives of international organisations, civil society, the private sector and the media, will take part in events in the capital of Armenia until 30 October.

Since 19 October, the conference has hosted extensive discussions and negotiations with international partners on biodiversity conservation.

The government says around 15,000 international visitors have arrived in the country for COP17.

Organising an international conference of this scale requires not only thorough preparation and the delivery of the planned program, but also coordination of security, transport and services for participants.

For a small country, accommodating thousands of visitors in comfortable conditions was, of course, a particular challenge. The Ministry of Environment told JAMnews that it had offered visitors a range of accommodation options, including hotels and other types of lodging in Yerevan and nearby settlements.

A guesthouse whose first guests were European experts

This year, Sofia Gabrielyan converted her parents’ house in Nork-Marash, an upscale administrative district of Yerevan, into a five-bedroom guesthouse. Its first guests were two groups of experts from European countries who had come to attend COP17.

“They booked our guesthouse back in August, while renovations were still in full swing. I was confident we would finish everything on time and welcome COP17 guests. First, we registered on the system, and our guesthouse passed the required checks. Soon afterwards, conference participants chose it as their accommodation,” Sofia says.

She considers it symbolic and significant that her guesthouse opened during the conference and welcomed European experts as its first guests. She believes she has done everything possible to convey the spirit of Armenian culture and create the right atmosphere.

“I hope to continue welcoming international visitors in the future. I bought some beautiful carpets with traditional patterns, hand-embroidered curtains and tablecloths. I carefully planned the breakfast menu. I decided to serve linden honey and local fruit, and selected herbs from the mountains for tea.”

In the evenings, she plans to play works by renowned Armenian composers, including Khachaturian, Babajanian, Forsh and Akhverdyan, for guests in a specially equipped small gazebo. She has also prepared a short guide in English suggesting things to do in Yerevan and the surrounding area in the evenings and at weekends.

“We exchanged emails with our guests. On one of their days off, we offered to take them on a tour in a seven-seater car. We thought we could show them the pagan temple at Garni and the medieval Geghard monastery complex. They were delighted. They probably weren’t expecting such an offer. We want to show them not only our country, but also how hospitable Armenia and its people are,” the guesthouse owner says.

As for prices, she offered her first guests a 30% discount.

Phenomenon of guesthouses in Armenia: competition not in favor of luxury hotels

Guesthouses are significantly cheaper, offer personalized service, and provide foreigners with the opportunity to interact with locals and experience the local cuisine.

Yerevan’s major hotels are also hosting conference delegates

Best Western Plus Congress Hotel confirmed that it has been hosting COP17 participants since 14 October, with bookings opening three months earlier. Most guests come from Europe and the Middle East.

“We have welcomed high-ranking guests from participating countries. Some have come for a few days, while others will stay for two weeks. We are delighted to host conference guests, just as we traditionally welcome all our visitors.

“Most of the bookings for this period come from COP17 participants. We are also hosting a group of media representatives. They know the conference venues and entertainment programs very well. They probably researched the available information thoroughly before their visit.

“We met guests at the airport and prepared Armenian wine and sweets for them in their rooms. However, we serve a classic breakfast menu,” the hotel said.

How COP17 delegates found accommodation

A dedicated team worked to ensure that COP17 participants found suitable accommodation.

The organisers reserved hotel rooms at agreed rates for large delegations. They specifically designed this group booking option for delegations of 25 or more participants. Other delegates chose and booked their own accommodation through online platforms for hotels and guesthouses.

Although Yerevan hosts the main conference events, the organisers also considered hotels and guesthouses in other regions as alternative options.

However, the full picture of how the organisers distributed guests across different accommodation options will only emerge from official figures after the conference ends.

COP17 has undoubtedly marked an important moment for Armenia’s engagement with the international environmental agenda. At the same time, the conference has put the country’s infrastructure, tourism industry and service sector to the test.

Welcoming thousands of international visitors requires coordinated work across multiple organisations. It also gives Armenia an opportunity to strengthen its reputation as a country capable of hosting major international events.

“Based on the first few days of COP17 and our experience hosting the European Political Community summit, which took place in Yerevan this May, we can say that Armenia is positioning itself as a country capable of hosting high-level international events to a high standard,” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said.

All delegates have found accommodation and are satisfied with it

Ani Hakobyan, spokesperson for the environment minister, told JAMnews:

“All COP17 participants have accommodation. Guests are staying in hotels, guesthouses and flats available for short-term rent. We also offered delegations accommodation options in settlements near Yerevan.”

According to Hakobyan, the ministry has received no statements, letters or complaints from participants who were unable to find accommodation. She noted that such problems sometimes arise at COP conferences, but no incidents of this kind have occurred in this case.

The accommodation team listed available options on official online platforms. Alternatives included hotels, guesthouses and rental properties not only near Yerevan but also in Gyumri, Vanadzor, Dilijan, Tsaghkadzor and Jermuk. There is no precise information yet on whether conference participants took up these offers.

Hakobyan also said that international visitors are covering their own accommodation costs.