On December 18, 2018, NABU Armenia and ACBA Federation launched the Rural Tourism Development Program with the conference named "Rural Tourism Development Opportunities in Armenia". The aim was to bring together leading experts of the field in order to discuss the best ways of the rural tourism development in the Republic of Armenia. In the end of the conference, there was an announcement of the grants competition for the best business ideas of the rural tourism development.
During the opening ceremony of the conference guests were welcomed by General Director of the German Nature Protection Union (NABU) Leif Müller, Deputy Minister of The Ministry of Nature Protection of RA, German Ambassador to Armenia Matthias Kiesler, General director of ACBA Federation Harutyun Poghosyan and CJSC Board Chairman of “ACBA_KREDIT AGRIKOL” bank.
The conference hosted experts from Slovakia, Germany, Russia, United Kingdom and Armenia.
Vitalij Kovalev, Deputy Director of the International Department and Head of the Caucasus Programs of the German Nature Protection Union (NABU), introduced the definition of “Rural tourism” and explained the impact of the rural tourism development on the community development (Speech material). Tourism outcome expert Anahit Voskanyan discussed a current situation and development perspectives of rural tourism in Armenia (Speech material).
Tom Allen, an explorer and travel writer from United Kingdom, shared his experience about what is it like to be a foreign traveler in countryside of Armenia. Svetlana Belova - Executive Director of Machaon International non-profit conservation organization shared whith information about best practices of EU rural tourism development projects in Slovakia, Czech Republic and Kazakhstan (Speech material). Founder of the Dilijan Eco-House Gor Hovhannisyan talked about his successful business in rural tourism - B&B experience in Dilijan.
We had a guest also from WWF Armenia- Conservation Manager Arsen Gasparyan introduced WWF experience in agro tourism and ecotourism in RA (Speech material).
General Director of Ecoglobe LLC Filip Ashikyan talked about role of organic agriculture in Rural tourisam (Speech material).
In the end of conference, Head of The Branch of German Nature Protection Union (NABU) in the Republic of Armenia Narek Grigoryan presented of ACBA Federation and NABU-Armenia joint project “Development of rural tourism in Armenia” and grants competition for Rural Tourism development (Speech material).
Conference joined 148 participants - representatives of different organizations, communities, officials, farmers and other interested persons.
During the conference were discussed many questions with participants, possibilities of cooperation, new acquaintances were gained. In the end of conference, already has been appointed meetings with representatives of some structures.
Details of the project can be found here.
About the conference (VIDEO)
