President of the Armenian Ecotourism Association Zhanna Galyan said that ecotourism can be viewed from two aspects: as a business involving adventure tourism, tourism in protected zones and agrarian tourism, and as a way for the protection of country’s cultural and historical values, as well as nature.

Ecotourism includes the idea of outdoor recreation, without causing damage to nature, experts told a press conference on September 16.

Member of the Union of Incoming Tour Operators, founder and director of Natura Tour agency Eduard Gevorgyan noted that Armenia has a great potential for ecotourism development. However, there are many unresolved problems. “Our specially protected zones’ pollution is among them,” noted Gevorgyan.

Head of the PR Department of the National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia (NCFA) Zara Amatuni noted that the foundation has conditionally divided Armenia into four zones of tourism – southern, northern, circular and central zones. She noted that the southern zone, including the territory from Noravank to Goris, is the NCFA’s priority direction for tourism, as there is a great potential for development.

Zara Amatuni noted that preservation of green zones is of keen importance along with construction of new infrastructures. She also said that a master plan was developed to avoid ‘any encroachment on the territory’. The plan will be submitted to the RA government in the nears future.

“For example, not a tree was cut for construction of the ropeway leading to Tatev,” concluded Zara Amatuni.