page_title: Republic of Artsakh
section_title: Tourism
hierarchical_section_title: Republic of Artsakh / Economy / Tourism
caption_attribution_description: English: Tigrankert (Artsakh). Agdam Rayon, / Askeran province, Republic of Mountainous Karabakh. Русский: Тигранакерт (Арцах). Агдамский район / Аскеранский район, Нагорно-Карабахская Республика. Українська: Тігранакерт (Арцах). Агдамский район / Аскеранський район, Нагірно-Карабаська Республіка.
context_page_description: Artsakh, officially the Republic of Artsakh or the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, is a breakaway state in the South Caucasus that is internationally recognized as a part of Azerbaijan. Artsakh controls most of the territory of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast along with some surrounding territory, having borders with Armenia to the west and Iran to the south. Its capital is Stepanakert.
  The predominantly Armenian-populated region of Nagorno-Karabakh was claimed by both the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and the First Republic of Armenia when both countries became independent in 1918 after the fall of the Russian Empire, and a brief war over the region broke out in 1920. The dispute was largely shelved after the Soviet Union established control over the area, and created the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast within the Azerbaijan SSR in 1923. During the fall of the Soviet Union, the region re-emerged as a source of dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In 1991, a referendum held in the NKAO and the neighbouring Shahumian region resulted in a declaration of independence.
context_section_description: The republic is developing a tourist industry geared to Armenia and the Armenian diaspora.  The republic has been showing a major increase in tourists over the last several years, which keeps growing because of Artsakh's many cultural sights. There are currently nine hotels in Stepanakert. The Artsakh development agency says 4,000 tourists visited Artsakh in 2005. The figures rose to 8,000 in 2010 (excluding visitors from Armenia). The agency cooperates with the Armenia Tourism Development Agency (ATDA) as Armenia is the only way tourists (mainly Armenians) can access Artsakh. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh informs of continuous expansion visitors' geography.
  The Tourism Development Agency of Artsakh was established in Yerevan as a non-governmental organisation in the Republic of Armenia to promote tourism further in Artsakh. It makes preparations for tour operators, travel agencies and journalists covering the region, and arranges for hotel services, shopping, catering, recreation centers.
  Tourist attractions include:
  Gandzasar monastery, main tourist attraction.
  Ghazanchetsots Cathedral of the Holy Savior.
  Church of the Holy Mother of God "Kanach Zham".
  Amaras Monastery.
  Tzitzernavank Monastery.
  St. Yeghish Arakyal Monastery.
  Dadivank Monastery.
  Gtichavank monastery.
  Bri Yeghtsi monastery.
  Yerits Mankants.
  Katarovank Monastery
  Other tourist attractions include:
  The ancient city of Tigranakert, one of four cities that were founded in the 1st century BC in opposite corners of Armenia and named after King Tigran II the Great, ruler of the short-lived Armenian Empire.  Tigranakert, which has been undergoing archaeological excavations since 2005, is located in Mardakert District.
  Fort Mayraberd (10th–18th centuries) served as the primary bulwark against Turko-nomadic incursions from the eastern steppe. The fort is found to the east of the region's capital city of Stepanakert.
  Govharagha Mosque (18th century), a mosque located in the city of Shushi.
  Janapar Trail is a marked trail through mountains, valleys and villages of Artsakh, with monasteries and fortresses along the way. The trail is broken into day hikes, which will bring tourists to a different village each night. The paths have existed for centuries, but now are marked specifically for hikers. The Himnakan Janapar (backbone trail), marked in 2007, leads from the northwest region of Shahumian to the southern town of Hadrut. Side trails and mini trails take one to additional parts of Artsakh. The important sites passed along this hike include Dadivank Monastery, Gandzasar monastery, Shushi, the Karkar Canyon with its high cliffs, Zontik Waterfall and the ruins of Hunot and Gtichavank monastery.
  One of the noteworthy side trails is the Gtichavank Loop Trail. This loop starts from Togh Village.
  The cost of staying in Artsakh is relatively cheap in comparison with the rest of the region and varies approximately between 25 – US$70 for a single person as of May, 2017.
  However, those who travelled to Artsakh without the Azerbaijani government's prior consent and permission will be denied entry to Azerbaijan since the country considers Artsakh their territory unlawfully occupied by the Armenian army. The Azerbaijani government also keeps and publishes online a list of foreign nationals who visited these occupied areas without prior approval. In late 2017, the list contained 699 names with additional details (date, country, profession, purpose of visit). The earliest entry recorded a visit to Artsakh that occurred on an unspecified date sometime between 1993–1996. The list includes many journalists and members of parliaments of foreign countries.
caption: The ruins of Tigranakert.
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