200 volunteers from Europe will participate in ecotourism promotion in the protected areas of Armenia

WWF-Armenia and Weser Foundation are launching a “BarevTrails” project for ecotourism development in Armenia.

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 Planned National Park and Zangezur Biosphere Complex).

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 new and improvement of the existing 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.
Mrs. Hermine Hakobyan, Head of WWF-Armenia’s Communications Department, says: “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. ”

This project is being implemented in the region for the first time. It will be launched in May initially with 3-year period. “Hello Trails” will start from the planned “Tatev” national park.