UNDP-supported Kamurj Platform to boost rural tourism in Armenia
Kamurj Platform, a UNDP-supported program, designed to give a boost to rural tourism in Armenia, kicked off today.
"The UN attaches importance to cooperation with the private sector. It also emphasizes the role of tour operators in the development of rural tourism. The establishment of the platform is one of the first steps of the program. We are sure that together we will be able to create competitive rural tourism products,’ said the acting UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia Dmitry Mariasin.
The Kamurj Platform is created as part of the $3 million and three-year UNDP program "Development of Integrated Rural Tourism’, financed by Russia. It will help about 60 rural communities across Armenia in creating alternative sources of income for residents through development of tourism.
According to Mariasin, at the moment Kamurj is already cooperating with 70 tourism companies in Armenia.
The program coordinator Arman Valesyan stated that by the end of 2017 about 12 different projects aimed at the development of rural tourism in different regions of Armenia are to be implemented, the first of which has already started in Ijevan in Tavush region. The next project will be implemented in Lori region.
Valesyan added that more than 50 projects are to be implemented in 2018. -0-