200 volunteers from Europe to participate in ecotourism promotion project in Armenia’s protected areas
The Armenian branch of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Armenia) and Swiss Wesser Foundation are launching a “BarevTrails” project for ecotourism development in Armenia, WWF-Armenia’s press service said.
The main objective of the project is creating and improving ecotourism infrastructure in the protected areas of Southern Armenia (Khosrov Forest State Reserve, Gnishik Protected Landscape, “Tatev” National Park and Zangezur Biosphere Complex), and in general raising awareness about Armenia as a favourable country for ecotourism.
During the first phase of the project 200 volunteers from Switzerland, Spain, Great Britain and Germany will arrive in Armenia to participate in the development of hiking trails focusing on provision of information on natural heritage and biodiversity of an area, including flora, fauna, cultural monuments and other objects of visitors’ interest.
"This project is much more than just a development of ecotourism infrastructure. Volunteers will visit cultural sights getting acquainted with the rich cultural heritage of Armenia, will try Armenian cuisine, communicate with the locals experiencing their hospitality and warmth. They will become let’s say "ambassadors" of Armenia in their countries,” says Mrs. Hermine Hakobyan, Head of WWF-Armenia’s Communications Department.
This project is being implemented in the region for the first time. It will be launched in May initially with 3-year period. "BarevTrails" will start from the planned "Tatev" National Park.