UNWTO launches biodiversity project
Marking World Environment Day, the UNWTO has launched a new biodiversity project in Georgia.
The project will aim to develop tourism products in mountain and freshwater ecosystems in four protected areas in the country. The aim is both to raise awareness of these areas and generate income for their conservation.
Potential products to be developed include a zip-line route, a canopy rope walk and a canoeing trail. A marketing strategy will also be devised to promote the new products, as well as training workshops for nature protection authorities, tourism officials and other local stakeholders.
“Biodiversity is central to all our lives, yet is being lost at an alarming rate,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. “Through developing sustainable tourism we can help to change attitudes and increase conservation. This particular project will raise awareness of Georgia’s great biodiversity, generate income for nature conservation and preserve precious species and habitats for future generations.”
“Georgia, as part of the Caucasus region, is a biodiversity hotspot. These hotspots are recognised globally as priority sites, based on criteria such as the diversity of species and plant types, and this rich biodiversity increases Georgia’s attractiveness as a tourist destination,” said the Head of the Georgian National Tourism Administration, Maia Sidamonidze. “Ecotourism can fund conservation, contribute to the protection of endangered ecosystems and promote development in poor areas. However, there are also examples of tourism having a negative impact on the environment. In light of these contradictory impacts, this project aims to reduce such conflicts by raising awareness of these areas for protection.”
Launched in Tbilisi today (Tuesday 5 June), the project will run until spring 2014, by which time a number of sustainable tourism products are expected to be in place, run by local stakeholders.
The project is supported by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and will be implemented by the Georgian Agency for Protected Areas, the Georgian National Tourism Administration and the Centre for Research and Sciences (NACRES).