Armenia’s rich landscapes, unique biodiversity, and cultural heritage offer significant opportunities for sustainable tourism development. To help unlock this potential, the EU4Environment programme has supported the preparation of eight eco-tourism pilot projects across the country in: Alaverdi | Dilijan | Goris | Ijevan | Kapan | Tumanyan | Vanadzor | Vardenis.
These pilot initiatives are based on eco-tourism development plans designed to help local communities, protected areas, and tourism stakeholders identify and develop sustainable tourism opportunities.
These plans provide a roadmap for actions that can generate socio-economic benefits and protect natural and cultural assets. The proposed initiatives aim to enhance visitor experiences, strengthen local tourism services, create new income-generating opportunities, and support small businesses in rural areas.
Eco-tourism can play an important role in local development by creating jobs, diversifying livelihoods, encouraging entrepreneurship, and increasing demand for local products and services. At the same time, it promotes the conservation of biodiversity, landscapes, and cultural heritage by demonstrating the value of healthy ecosystems and fostering greater environmental awareness among visitors and communities.