ITALIAN PROFESSOR SAYS IT IS NECESSARY TO DEVELOP ECOTOURISM IN ARMENIA

Armenpress

YEREVAN, JULY 16, ARMENPRESS: Armenia cannot be a country of mass
tourism, said professor from Italian Carlo Cattaneo University Deepak
Panti, who is in Armenia with a research mission, noting that in such
a small country the difference between rural and urban areas is great
and that the economic developments are notable only in the capital.

For securing stabile economic development in the country he
suggests to develop and promote ecotourism for which Armenia has
an important pre-condition and resource – natural, light but rough
and very beautiful environment and people “original people who have
self-consciousness, ethnic integrity, experience in protecting national
face and flexible towards arts.”

He said a group of professors, post-graduates and students from
the same university have made researches in Shirak province near
Marmarashen and were convinced that for the development of ecotourism
it is necessary to create a relevant space and prepare people. It
is also necessary to encourage businessmen to build hotels in the
province and to make investments. The professor said they have chosen
Shirak on purpose as it is situated quite a long way from Yerevan, has
small population and beautiful nature scene, many historic-cultural
monuments, rich historic past and, which is of more importance,
there is no great difference between urban and rural settlements.

On the basis of the implemented researches the group developed a
program-suggestion called “Marmarashen” which is though yet on a piece
of paper but has a clear strategy and is expected to be implemented in
coming 3 years if the Armenian government approves it and if necessary
funds are found. The Italian professor and his group has implemented
other researches in Armenia and issued two books on their basis. The
research works of the group are financed by the Italian Foreign
Affairs Ministry, Carlo Cattaneo University and Armenian government.