The Lebanon Mountain Trail:
A Shining Example of Sustainability
and Geotourism
A Shining Example of Sustainability
and Geotourism
SW Associates is working with The International
Ecotourism Society and ECODIT on the Lebanon
Mountain Trail Project.
Stretching 350 kms from Al Qobaiyat in the north to
Marjaayoun near the southern border of Lebanon, the
LMT Project has continued moving forward over the past
year despite a series of troubling events – war,
bombings, assassinations and protests in Beirut. The
LMT is proof that tourism, especially Geotourism, can be
a unifier in a country that has seen its share of disunity
and conflict. None of this adds up to an appealing or
attractive picture for international visitors at this particular
time. However, the Trail is a peaceful world away from
Beirut’s rough and tumble political world and is poised to
become a world-class tourism destination once the
situation returns to normal.
Joseph Karam, President of ECODIT, the company that is
leading the LMT Project, explained that the LMT is a
great example of the determination of Lebanon’s diverse
mountain communities to conserve and showcase their
unique natural and cultural heritage. This is the essence
of what National Geographic is emphasizing with its
Geotourism program.
“People from virtually every religious group in Lebanon,”
he said, “are coming together to develop the LMT, which
winds itself through communities as diverse as Lebanon
herself. The LMT is truly offering a way for the Lebanese
to come together to rebuild and develop the country.”
Through environmentally and socially responsible
tourism, the LMT is helping to expand economic
opportunities in rural areas of Lebanon, and mobilize
volunteers, the youth and community groups for a
worthwhile and unifying cause.
ECODIT has finished delineating the trail and is currently
test-walking it in collaboration with local NGOs and
community organizations, scout groups, tour operators,
and volunteers. The International Ecotourism Society
(TIES), which is based in Washington, DC, has also been
providing technical assistance and support with marketing
and promoting the LMT around the world.
The LMT Project is also implementing pilot activities to
enhance rural attractions and lodging along the trail,
including bed & breakfast facilities, campsites, and scenic
overlooks. The Project is helping to renovate two historic
town squares, set up visitor information points, co-
organize rural events and develop a literary trail in and
around Baskinta, the home village of several renowned
Lebanese writers, including Mikhael Naimy (The Book of
Mirdad) and Amin Maalouf (The Rock of Tanios).In fact,
the LMT also traverses Becharre, the hometown of
another literary giant, Khalil Gibran (The Prophet).
The LMT project also will publish a pocket guidebook and
is launching a website to promote the LMT (www.
lebanontrail.org), and guide visitors along the Trail. In
addition, the LMT team is helping to provide training to
guides and hospitality providers.
To sustain the LMT beyond the two-year span of the
project, ECODIT is establishing the Lebanon Mountain
Trail Association, whose members will comprise local
communities and tour operators. The LMT Association
will be responsible for protecting, maintaining and
promoting the LMT beyond the two-year life of the LMT
project. To promote local ownership and long-term
sustainability of the Lebanon Mountain Trail, ECODIT is
implementing the project by forging active community
participation, and by mobilizing volunteers and private
sponsorships (e.g., sponsors can “adopt a section” of the
LMT and donate land to the Association for long-term
conservation).
The LMT project builds on previous efforts by using parts
of and connecting existing trails, and by leveraging on-
going local initiatives. The system of trails in the
Lebanese mountains was built and conserved through
the centuries, and has more recently also been used by
tour operators. Several protected areas (declared by the
government with considerable local support) are on the
path of the Lebanon Mountain Trail, as well as several
other natural, historic and cultural initiatives. The LMT
project will supplement and connect these individual
initiatives to create a destination of national and
international appeal.
Core funding for the LMT project was provided by the US
Agency for International Development (USAID). ECODIT
conceived and designed the LMT project with the
assistance of several organizations, including the
International Ecotourism Society, and is implementing it
under a two-year (2005–2007) Cooperative Agreement
with USAID. ECODIT is an environmental/water
management and tourism development company based
in Arlington, Virginia. Additional information on the
Lebanon Mountain Trail Project can be found on www.
lebanontrail.org (website under construction).
Ecotourism Society and ECODIT on the Lebanon
Mountain Trail Project.
Stretching 350 kms from Al Qobaiyat in the north to
Marjaayoun near the southern border of Lebanon, the
LMT Project has continued moving forward over the past
year despite a series of troubling events – war,
bombings, assassinations and protests in Beirut. The
LMT is proof that tourism, especially Geotourism, can be
a unifier in a country that has seen its share of disunity
and conflict. None of this adds up to an appealing or
attractive picture for international visitors at this particular
time. However, the Trail is a peaceful world away from
Beirut’s rough and tumble political world and is poised to
become a world-class tourism destination once the
situation returns to normal.
Joseph Karam, President of ECODIT, the company that is
leading the LMT Project, explained that the LMT is a
great example of the determination of Lebanon’s diverse
mountain communities to conserve and showcase their
unique natural and cultural heritage. This is the essence
of what National Geographic is emphasizing with its
Geotourism program.
“People from virtually every religious group in Lebanon,”
he said, “are coming together to develop the LMT, which
winds itself through communities as diverse as Lebanon
herself. The LMT is truly offering a way for the Lebanese
to come together to rebuild and develop the country.”
Through environmentally and socially responsible
tourism, the LMT is helping to expand economic
opportunities in rural areas of Lebanon, and mobilize
volunteers, the youth and community groups for a
worthwhile and unifying cause.
ECODIT has finished delineating the trail and is currently
test-walking it in collaboration with local NGOs and
community organizations, scout groups, tour operators,
and volunteers. The International Ecotourism Society
(TIES), which is based in Washington, DC, has also been
providing technical assistance and support with marketing
and promoting the LMT around the world.
The LMT Project is also implementing pilot activities to
enhance rural attractions and lodging along the trail,
including bed & breakfast facilities, campsites, and scenic
overlooks. The Project is helping to renovate two historic
town squares, set up visitor information points, co-
organize rural events and develop a literary trail in and
around Baskinta, the home village of several renowned
Lebanese writers, including Mikhael Naimy (The Book of
Mirdad) and Amin Maalouf (The Rock of Tanios).In fact,
the LMT also traverses Becharre, the hometown of
another literary giant, Khalil Gibran (The Prophet).
The LMT project also will publish a pocket guidebook and
is launching a website to promote the LMT (www.
lebanontrail.org), and guide visitors along the Trail. In
addition, the LMT team is helping to provide training to
guides and hospitality providers.
To sustain the LMT beyond the two-year span of the
project, ECODIT is establishing the Lebanon Mountain
Trail Association, whose members will comprise local
communities and tour operators. The LMT Association
will be responsible for protecting, maintaining and
promoting the LMT beyond the two-year life of the LMT
project. To promote local ownership and long-term
sustainability of the Lebanon Mountain Trail, ECODIT is
implementing the project by forging active community
participation, and by mobilizing volunteers and private
sponsorships (e.g., sponsors can “adopt a section” of the
LMT and donate land to the Association for long-term
conservation).
The LMT project builds on previous efforts by using parts
of and connecting existing trails, and by leveraging on-
going local initiatives. The system of trails in the
Lebanese mountains was built and conserved through
the centuries, and has more recently also been used by
tour operators. Several protected areas (declared by the
government with considerable local support) are on the
path of the Lebanon Mountain Trail, as well as several
other natural, historic and cultural initiatives. The LMT
project will supplement and connect these individual
initiatives to create a destination of national and
international appeal.
Core funding for the LMT project was provided by the US
Agency for International Development (USAID). ECODIT
conceived and designed the LMT project with the
assistance of several organizations, including the
International Ecotourism Society, and is implementing it
under a two-year (2005–2007) Cooperative Agreement
with USAID. ECODIT is an environmental/water
management and tourism development company based
in Arlington, Virginia. Additional information on the
Lebanon Mountain Trail Project can be found on www.
lebanontrail.org (website under construction).
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |