Transdisciplinary Research for Tourism Development in the Caucasus - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

ARMENIAN ARMENIAN STATE STATE PEDAGOGICAL PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY After After khachatur khachatur abovyan bovyan

Transdisciplinary Research for Tourism Development in the Caucasus Region

student field practice | case study

20‐30 June, Armenia

Sequence Sequence of

• f steps

steps

Group Group studi studies s and and interconnecti nterconnection

• n

Community residents Municipality Stakeholders Community service sector representatives Investors Non‐governmental

• rganizations

Local businessmen State agencies Others

Tourism Tourism in in adjacent adjacent areas areas and and Meghradzor Meghradzor comm community unity

Tsaghkadzor city known for being a ski resort, with forests and an ancient monastery. In the summer, people go there to get away from the city life of Yerevan, and the heat, for the fresh air in the mountains. In the winter, the town is completely overtaken by skiers and people who just want to relax and enjoy the snow and scenery. Having a good infrastructure and great reputation, Tsakhkadzor is a stronger "pole" and "hinders" the entry of tourists into the Marmarik valley and the Meghrayor

• community. From this point of view,

serious steps must be taken to improve the infrastructure of the community and to create tourist information centers. That is why the groups were also oriented towards awareness raising events.

The Meghradzor community is located in the valley of Marmarik, famous for its marvelous nature, the Marmarik River, oak, maple and wild pear forests, excellent climatic conditions, Marmarik reservoir, mineral water sources and hospitable residents. There you can see three landscape zones, mountain steppe, mountain forest and mountain meadows. Fieldwork studies have shown that due to the presence of such natural conditions and resources there is a serious potential in the community to develop the following tourist destinations:

• Ecotourism
• Agrotourism
• Cultural tourism
• Geotourism
• Medical tourism
• Rural tourism
• Bicycle tourism
• Camping
• Culinary tourism
• Recreational travel
• River cruise
• Scenic route
• Sports tourism
• Archaeological tourism
• Motorcycle touring
• Day‐tripper

Landscape Landscape planning planning

Resource inventory available in the community within the framework of landscape planning Geological resources Climatic conditions Water resources Upward landscape zones Anthropogenic resources Human resources Soil types Mountaineering units

Surveys Surveys and and results results

Within the framework

• f

the project, surveys were conducted in 6 rural settlements

• f

Meghradzor

• community. Surveys performed by different groups have

produced interesting results. It is noteworthy that the surveys were conducted with people of different sex and age, and the results of the survey were presented both in qualitative and quantitative form. These include community issues presented by residents that may be a barrier to tourism development, as well as the available capabilities most of which are not currently used.

The most commonly mentioned issues are the following:

* Unemployment * Irrigation problems * Lack of sewage * Old or worn infrastructures (roads) * Lack of investment * Health system modernization

swot swotanalysis analysis

Strenghts Weakness 

Staying close to the capital and the regional center



A large proportion of the working-age (60 and more percent)



A large number of persons with higher education in the labor market

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Presence of relevant specialists in different fields of economy

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Presence of rich climatic conditions and resources

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High and growing unemployment level

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A large number of young people with inadequate education in the labor market

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Not using ofrural tourism preconditions

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Lack of awareness in tourism sector

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Lack of investments

swot swotanalysis analysis

Opportunities Threats 

A large number of young people in higher education, who are ready to work in local structures and projects



Great economic growth by promoting the development of different sectors

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Employment growth in service industries, particularly tourism, due to international development trends

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Developing local traditions using qualitative human resources

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An increasing unemployment level among the population, especially among young people

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Increasing emigration levels

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Influence of force majeure (drought, flood, hail, landslides, etc.)

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A rapid decline in economic levels as a result of lack of investments and upcoming events

Marmarik Marmarik valley valley and and Meghradzor Meghradzor com community nity. . location location m mapping pping

Marmarik Marmarik valley valley and and Meghradzor Meghradzor com community nity. . location location m mapping pping

satellite satellite view view

Sugge Suggestions stions and and Perspe Perspectives ctives for for Tourism Tourism Developm Development t in in M Meghradzor ghradzor Com Community unity

Scenario for the future… > Establishment of Tourism Information Center. It will give the opportunity to inform visitors about the tourism features of the community, attraction, and contribute to the growth of flow of enthusiasts. > Organization of the annual Mountain Tea Festival. Taking into account the diversity of landscape and flora, this is a great way to introduce guests to the herbs, traditions, taste of tea and much more. > Making website “I Love Meghradzor”. This information platform can work perfectly with the Information Center and present the details of the community online. > Eco‐road development in Marmarik and Artavaz villages for development of school patriotic tourism. It is possible to design an eco‐trail along the river valley for which there are already prerequisites.

Sugge Suggestions stions and and Perspe Perspectives ctives for for Tourism Tourism Developm Development t in in M Meghradzor ghradzor Com Community unity

Scenario for the future… > Creating the capabilities of the bubble football that doesn’t have a precedent in Armenia. This can contribute to adventure and sports tourism development. > Design of land plots and horticultural landscape in Meghradzor and Marmarik settlements, which doesn’t have a precedent in the region. > Creating opportunities for aromatherapy and heliotherapy for medical tourism development. Community plant resources and excellent climatic conditions can be used to promote medical tourism. > Establishment of dryers for drying tea plants, herbs, vitamin and essential oils. > Establishment of the Eco‐village near the village of Pyunik, on the right bank of the river

• Marmarik. We will involve landscape engineers, landscape ecologists and local self‐governing

bodies.

Sugge Suggestions stions and and Perspe Perspectives ctives for for Tourism Tourism Developm Development t in in M Meghradzor ghradzor Com Community unity

Scenario for the future… > Construction of milk pipeline that will allow the milk to be delivered fresh and clean to the consumer. The development of tourism, especially agrotourism, also implies the availability of fresh food and this proposal is aimed at it. > Creating opportunities for zorbing and hamsterball, which can contribute to adventure tourism development. > "Traffic lights that must be ignited". Opening the route of the railway by using the existing railroad. Hrazdan‐Meghradzor‐Dilijan‐Ijevan railway passes through the territory of the community. This is a valuable resource and the exploitation of the mountain train will unexpectedly boost tourism development in the community.

Fieldw Fieldworks

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Fieldw Fieldworks

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Fieldw Fieldworks

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Fieldw Fieldworks

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Thank you for attention!!!