Ecotourism To Be Developed In Armenian "Dilijan" Notional Park

ECOTOURISM TO BE DEVELOPED IN ARMENIAN "DILIJAN" NATIONAL PARK

ARKA
September 5, 2008

YEREVAN, September 5. /ARKA/. The required basis for development
of ecotourism is being created in Dilijan national park in Armenia,
Director of the park Ashot Davtyan reported.

Together with the USAID the park is planning to lay two routes for
ecotourists, provide special areas for picnics, build recreation
sites and bridges, Davtyan told journalists.

The staff of the park ahs already developed eight routes for
ecotourists; total length of two of them is 8-9 kilometers, Davtyan
said adding that special information bulletins have also been issued.

Back in 2005 a special recreational department was set in the
national park to study where in the national park ecotourist routs
could be developed.

Davtyan said that serious training of personnel has been carried out,
particularly 25 guides were selected and eight of them received
appropriate licenses. Guides have been trained to ensure maximum
safety of ecotourists in the park, Davtyan aid.

Dilijan national park is situated in north-east of Armenian Plateau,
110 kilometers from Yerevan. The area is famous for its thick forests,
mineral waters and ancient monasteries. The territory of the national
park is 33,700 hectares.