MICE & Business Tourism: Armenia has been named “Best Foreign Destination for Business and Corporate Events” at the MICE Excellence 2026 Awards, a win aimed at boosting Yerevan and the wider country as a go-to venue for conferences, exhibitions and corporate travel. New Direct Air Routes: Shirak Avia is launching direct flights from Yerevan to Bali, the Maldives and Phuket starting this November (once a week), with one-way fares reported from $455 and technical stops en route. Border Travel Disruption: Heavy trucks are facing delays at the Upper Lars checkpoint on the Armenia–Georgia route as congestion builds in the neutral zone; Russian customs says passenger cars are moving normally, but carriers and vacationers should plan for possible slowdowns. Armenian Studies Abroad: Applications are open for the Summer 2027 Israelyan Fellowship at Gladstone’s Library (UK), offering a fully funded 31-night residency for work on Armenian studies, literature and social sciences, with travel support included. Local Travel Safety/Operations: Armenia’s Tourism Committee highlights the country’s growing international visibility in the MICE sector, while separate reporting notes ongoing travel planning concerns around regional logistics.