From Akhtala to Meghri: Armenia will have new national trail across the country

YEREVAN, May 16. /ARKA/. A new 954-kilometer national trail will be built in Armenia, which will run across 108 villages and enable tourists to walk from one end of the country to the other.

A corresponding memorandum on the construction of the trail was signed Tuesday by HIKEArmenia and the Tourism Committee.

The trail, to be patterned from similar projects in developed countries, is supposed to contribute to Armenia's economic development and become a potential source of income for local residents.

The project will also provide information on more than 215 hotels, encouraging the development of rural tourism.

Sisian Boghossian, head of the Tourism Committee, noted that the new trail will allow hikers to discover Armenia. The trail will attract more tourists from Europe, she said.

"We present Armenia in the international market with four types of tourism: nature, adventure, cultural and gastronomic tourism. Thanks to what HIKEArmenia did in well-known international venues Armenia is presented as a "trekking" destination in the region," she said.

As the trail will pass through villages, hikers will be able to get acquainted with the history, culture and life of the Armenian people.

HIKEArmenia founding director Artak Kosyan said that the tourists will be able to stop in the villages through which the trail runs, use local services and buy goods. 

He said that the project will be completed in 3-4 years, the financing will amount to about $1 million. The project will be carried out by HIKEArmenia. -0-