Interview with the “Armenian SME” platform
Today, we spoke with Ani Kostandyan, the co-founder of the boutique hotel Kanach Tun.
Ani is a cultural studies specialist. ‘I am currently studying for my PhD at Yerevan State University and teaching at the Yerevan State University Ijevan branch. I lived in Yerevan for a long time, studying. I was a member of a hiking club. I am a big nature and culture lover,’ Ani introduces herself.
Our conversation partner shares that she has studied the nature, villages, people, and monuments of Tavush, maintaining a connection with nature.
“One time, when we came to Yenokavan for a rest, there was a pleasant environment created here, and we really liked the nature. There was a beautiful spot made of wood, which became the inspiration for the creation of the resort. At first, the idea was intimidating, we thought it wouldn’t work for us. However, we started and continue to move forward, participating in various business courses and programs. In this forest environment in Yenokavan, we built pavilions intended for family gatherings, friendly meetings, and picnics. In other words, we created an environment where not everyone could enter. As we realized that only pavilions weren’t enough, we decided to also build cottages. This year, we also opened a restaurant. Now, we have pavilions, tents, a restaurant, cottages, and a cabin with a transparent roof, unique in the region, which has become the signature feature of Kanach Tun. We also organize hiking trips and masterclasses. We constantly listen to our guests and try to do everything possible to make the resort a very comfortable family-friendly environment”, our conversation partner shares.
Ani mentions that they started all of this in 2019 and encountered numerous challenges along the way.
“Since we were not locals, people initially reacted with envy that we had come to ‘their region’ and wanted to establish such a resort. We also faced issues with electricity and water. The local municipality has not yet been willing to resolve this, so we were forced to address the problem ourselves, even purchasing water. It’s worth mentioning that the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) provided significant help in this matter, and with the grant we received, we were able to alleviate the water issue and secure electricity. On top of all this, the coronavirus and the war also added to the difficulties. One of the risks I would mention is that we were surrounded by already well-known and branded resorts. Competing with them seemed somewhat impossible, but we managed to find our place in the market. We went through all these challenges, but despite everything, we reached our goal of creating the perfect environment for family relaxation.”
You can read the full interview here