Marriott Bonvoy canceled the tour in Shusha and Stepanakert.
Armenian organizations achieved the cancellation of the tour by Marriott Bonvoy in Shusha and Stepanakert.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on June 22, the office of the ombudsman for cultural heritage and the Agency for the Development of Culture and Tourism of Nagorno-Karabakh stated that the information about the demolition of the monument "We Are Our Mountains" by Azerbaijanis in Stepanakert is not confirmed. The image showing the demolition process was generated using artificial intelligence. Official Baku and the Armenian opposition extracted their political bonuses from the unverified publication about the demolition of the monument in Stepanakert, Armenian political scientists believe. On June 26, Baku analysts pointed out Azerbaijan's right to decide the fate of the monument. They noted that the monument "We Are Our Mountains" was erected in Karabakh when it was part of the Azerbaijan SSR.
The monument "We Are Our Mountains" is one of the symbols of Artsakh and the entire Armenian cultural heritage of the region. The monument was built in 1967 at the entrance to the city of Stepanakert. Its authors are sculptor and people's artist of the Armenian SSR Sarkis Baghdasaryan and architect Yuri Akopyan, as stated on the Armenian Museum's website.
Marriott Bonvoy refused the tourist package to Nagorno-Karabakh after an international campaign, reports Armenia Today.
The tour in question was a 14-hour trip that included visits to Shusha and Stepanakert. The description of the route did not mention the Armenian history of Artsakh, the blockade of the region, and the exodus of more than 100,000 Armenians after the Azerbaijani operation.
The tour was reported on July 27 by the Center for Armenian Research and Analysis (CARA). After the publication of the information, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and other Armenian organizations in various countries began a campaign demanding the cancellation of the offer. According to the organization, Marriott removed the tour in less than five days.
ANCA Executive Director Aram Ambarian stated that the company should not have "profited from the suffering of the Armenians of Artsakh" and conducted tours that, in his opinion, normalize Azerbaijan's actions.
"We were inspired by the rapid global response that led to this tour being removed within five days — in less than 120 hours. Of course, we will continue to closely monitor anyone trying to profit from genocide," he added.
The tour was available through the Marriott platform and allowed participants to earn Marriott Bonvoy points. As part of the trip, tourists were offered to visit the monument "Tatik-Papik" ("We Are Our Mountains"). ANCA noted that the description of the monument did not mention the Armenian origin of the object. More than 100,000 displaced Armenians from Artsakh still cannot return home, and 19 Armenian prisoners remain in Azerbaijan, the publication states.