On October 17 in Lori and October 23-24 in Vayots Dzor, within the framework of the “Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia” (LILA) program, a series of familiarization tours were organized with the participation of partner tour operators and representatives of the Tourism Committee.
The visits aimed to provide participants with firsthand insight into the tourism experiences developed through the LILA program, explore local businesses and their offerings, and assess the potential of community-based tourism. This initiative created an important platform to assess the potential of community-based tourism, paving the way for the design of more integrated, sustainable, and competitive tourism packages, as well as for mutually beneficial partnerships.
In Lori, participants visited the communities of Margahovit, Dsegh, and Debet, exploring the operations of Blackwood Resort, Aura Village, WOW Glamping, Loreni Tea House, and Chamic Guesthouse. These visits showcased community tourism models that harmoniously blend the region’s natural beauty with the dedication and creativity of local entrepreneurs.
In Vayots Dzor, the familiarization tour highlighted ecotourism and gastrotourism experiences, including the Ranger Tour within the Arpa Protected Landscape, honey tasting at Bee Home, visits to Poonj canned food factory and Kria winery, Magellan Cave and an innovative VR experience in the Areni-1 Cave.
These familiarization tours represent another key step toward advancing LILA’s objectives – promoting nature-based and community-driven tourism, enhancing collaboration among local enterprises, and contributing to the sustainable development of rural communities across Armenia.
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.