As part of the “Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia” (LILA) Project, an advanced Capacity Building Training for the Development of Mountain, Sports, and Adventure Tourism was officially launched on October 1st. The training aims to enhance the professional competencies of mountaineers, hikers, and adventure tourism specialists, with a strong emphasis on the safe, responsible, and internationally compliant delivery of adventure tourism services across Armenia.
The training is implemented by the “Armenian Mountaineering and Mountain Tourism Federation”, led by a team of accomplished and highly qualified experts in the field, including Suren Danielyan, Antuan Ananyan, Edgar Navasardyan, Narine Jagharyan, and Gegham Aloyan.
Combining theoretical instruction with hands-on practice, the training program features classroom-based sessions alongside practical field exercises conducted in the challenging mountain terrain of the Lori region. This immersive approach ensures that participants not only gain theoretical knowledge but also acquire critical technical and decision-making skills in real-life conditions.
Participants were selected through a competitive process based on strict eligibility criteria, including:
✔️ A minimum of three years of relevant field experience
✔️ Above-average physical preparedness
✔️ Full availability and commitment to participate in both theoretical and regional field components of the course
Throughout the training, participants will strengthen their competencies in key areas such as:
🔹 Adventure tour planning, route selection, risk assessment, and safety management
🔹 Rock climbing, rope techniques, knot systems, and proper use of climbing equipment
🔹 First response in emergency situations, group leadership, and orientation in complex terrain
🔹 Design and implementation of water-based adventure activities, including SUP, kayaking, and river crossing
🔹 Use of communication and navigation technologies – GPS, radio systems, and mobile networks – for emergency coordination
This initiative represents a strategic step forward in enhancing the quality, safety, and sustainability of Armenia’s growing adventure tourism sector. By investing in the capacities of field professionals, the LILA Project is laying the groundwork for a more resilient, standards-driven, and responsible tourism industry in the country.
Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia (LILA) project is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by WWF-Armenia in collaboration with SDA NGO.