On November 6, 2024, in Yerevan, the outcomes of “Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia” (LILA) project were presented, highlighting nature-based solutions and tourism development initiatives.
The final results and achievements of the project were presented by Alla Ghazaryan, Coordinator of the component implemented by Strategic Development Agency NGO within the framework LILA project, during the third meeting of the National Advisory Group for the “Support to the Creation of Ecological Corridors-II” (ECF) and “Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia” (LILA) projects.
She discussed efforts aimed at developing businesses and products, enhancing the capacities and skills of beneficiaries, and promoting hospitality and other market supply chains as part of the project.
“We have established eight partnerships with inbound tour operators, promoting sustainable and inclusive tourism. More than 7,000 tourists have visited the project's target regions through partner tour operators. Over 15,000 visitors have been hosted by beneficiary businesses of the project. A total of 484 jobs have been created in the target communities, 49% of which are held by women, and 21% represent entirely new positions. Additionally, over 300,000 people in the target regions have been informed about sustainable and inclusive tourism,” Alla Ghazaryan said.
According to her, the project has so far established seven fully operational small-scale farms that generate income by supplying agricultural products to tourism, hospitality, and other sectors. Four more suppliers are currently in the development stage.
Referring to the improvement of infrastructure and facilities for local enterprises and those providing services in the tourism and hospitality sectors, Alla Ghazaryan noted: “We now have 13 fully operational tourism businesses, and seven others are in the development phase.”
She also emphasized the importance of participating in international expos with partner tour operators to showcase Armenia’s tourism potential and the businesses created within the project to foreign tourism agencies.
Furthermore, Ghazaryan mentioned that training sessions were organized for project partners and beneficiaries to enhance and expand the skills and capacities of suppliers and tourism service providers. These training sessions focused on topics such as sales in the tourism and hospitality sectors, digital marketing, waste recycling, and sustainable management.
“Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia” (LILA) project is funded by the Government of Switzerland through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by WWF Caucasus and Armenia offices in collaboration with Strategic Development Agency NGO.
November 19, 2024 at 14:00