Avan Villa

James Tufenkain - Founder

Avan Villa is one of five hotels that James Tufenkian, Armenian diasporia, has built. He is still building more hotels across the countryside. His artistic talent and business mind, and most importantly his love for Armenian people and community, has made his story a successful one.

James' non-profit foundation has put in a lot of effort to improve the quality of living in Armenia. With so many projects in progress, Avan Villa was the first hotel built by his foundation.

James Tufenkain is an entrepreneur who was able to reconcile corporate responsibility with that of social charity. He started his first business in 1986 with a vision to revive the art of Tibetan rug weaving. The projects expanded to include boutique hotels, artisan foods and a foundation of charitable projects in his homeland Armenia.

Mr. Tufenkian oversees all his charitable projects regularly. While checking on his projects he stays in his hotels. While in Yerevan he stays in Avan Villa. He is very friendly and visits Armenia at least several times a year.He is very hospitable and willing to share his ideas with his guests.

This accommodation provider has taken action to address one or more issues (whether environmental, social or cultural) which will contribute positively to the long term viability of the destination and hence their site displays a Caring for the destination rating.

Main area of focus in Caring for the Destination:

Social and community upliftment, as well as environmental protection.

Detailed description of the Caring for the Destination Initiative:

Your host, James Tufenkian, has created the Tufenkian Foundation, which has been involved in more than 50 social and community projects throughout the country. He is passionate about Armenia's culture and heritage, arts and crafts, community (locals and orphans), clean air, the environment, education and consumer rights protection.

The activities and projects the foundation embark on seek to address the following issues:

- Empowering local citizens' initiatives
- Assisting the most vulnerable strata of society
- Promoting environmental protection and awareness

A stand out project include its crusade at Nagorno-Karabagh, where indigenous locals have had to fight for their rights Azerbaijani occupation where. The foundation helps out locals by rebuilding and assisting these people regain their rights and livelihoods. The foundation also works with "Armenian Forests" NGO, and together they have contributed 125,000 trees on 100 hectares at Odzun village, where locals will care and maintain what will become first community forest in modern times.

Other great projects the Tufenkian Foundation is part of includes:

- Clothes for Gavar orphanage
- Christmas gifts for children
- Carpet distribution
- "Armenian Knitting Ladies"
- Design and reconstruction of Vanadzor orphanage
- Summer camp "Back to nature"
- NK arts festival in Shushi
- Handmade sweater production
- Spitak Children Fund's decorative art school
- Senior citizen centre
- Mattresses and blanket production and distribution
- Aid distribution to victims of flooding in Karmir village
- Psychological and educational support to the disabled
- Vem radio
- Preparatory classes for the children of fallen soldiers
- "Herane" TV journalists award contest
- Centre for at-risk children in Vanadzor
- "Youth of Jrvezh" enhancement program
- Artsakh Diocese mineral water project
- Armenian volunteer corps
- "Clean Yerevan"
- "Manana" creative art centre