What does world-class hospitality look like when it is created not by imitation, but by identity?
In an interview with Forbes, entrepreneur Artak Tovmasyan shares the vision behind Seven Visions Resort & Places, The Dvin - a destination created to place Armenia among the world's most exceptional hospitality experiences while remaining unmistakably Armenian.
Hospitality with an Armenian voice
According to Tovmasyan, Seven Visions was never intended to replicate the world's most renowned destinations.
"We never wanted to import a foreign concept into Armenia," he explains. "Our ambition was to enter the global ultra-exclusive hospitality conversation with our own Armenian language."
Inspired by destinations such as Monaco, Las Vegas, Macau and Dubai, the resort embraces the highest international hospitality standards while expressing them through Armenian culture, architecture and storytelling.
His vision can be summed up in one sentence:
"Monaco glamour, Vegas energy, Macau prestige - yet uniquely Armenian."
More than a hotel
At Seven Visions, Armenian heritage is not treated as decoration—it forms the foundation of the entire guest experience.
The resort was conceived as an architectural narrative where every space tells part of Armenia's story. Restaurants, performances, design elements and public spaces are carefully curated to guide guests through the country's history, spirituality and contemporary identity.
Even the name The Dvin pays tribute to one of Armenia's ancient capitals, connecting the property's modern vision with centuries of cultural legacy.
Honoring the past while creating the future
The redevelopment of the historic Dvin Hotel was never about replacing the past.
"The old Dvin was treated as a memory to transform," says Tovmasyan.
Once one of Yerevan's most beloved gathering places, the original hotel has been reimagined through contemporary architecture, immersive entertainment and innovative hospitality while preserving its spirit of diplomacy, celebration and Armenian warmth.
For Tovmasyan, this philosophy defines the entire project:
"We do not cut roots; we nurture them."
Hospitality as emotional storytelling
Every experience at Seven Visions is designed to evoke emotion.
Rather than viewing hospitality as simply providing comfort, the resort approaches it through the lens of theatre, cinema and performance.
This philosophy comes to life through the One&Only Theatre, where performances unfold above the atrium, as well as throughout the property's gastronomy, music, architecture and immersive experiences.
"Beauty is not passive for us," Tovmasyan says. "Beauty performs."
The emotional heart of the resort
Among all the concepts within Seven Visions, one remains especially personal.
Hayrik, meaning "father" in Armenian, is more than a restaurant - it is a tribute to family, memory and the traditions passed from one generation to the next.
Inspired by Tovmasyan's own father, the concept celebrates the emotional role food plays in bringing people together, making it one of the most meaningful spaces within the resort.
A new image of Armenia
Ultimately, Tovmasyan hopes guests leave with a renewed understanding of Armenia itself.
"I want people to understand that Armenia is ancient, but never old; spiritual, but never static; elegant, but never silent."
Through architecture, gastronomy, wellness, performance, music and genuine hospitality, Seven Visions seeks to present Armenia as a world-class destination with a timeless cultural identity.
Rather than simply offering rooms or restaurants, the resort invites guests on a journey through memory, beauty and possibility - demonstrating that Armenia can stand confidently among the world's leading hospitality destinations while remaining true to its own story.
Read the full interview: acrobat.adobe.com
