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GEC 2007: Michelle Bachir, Trail Development and Promotion Coordinator, ECODIT - The Lebanon Mountain Trail project & Pascal Abdallah, Member of the Lebanon Mountain Trail Association - The Lebanon Mountain Trail: Celebrating a Shared Heritage
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The Lebanon Mountain TrailCelebrating a Shared HeritageCelebrating a Shared HeritageCelebrating a Shared HeritageCelebrating a Shared Heritage
400 km national hiking trail extending from Al-Qbaiyat in the
north of Lebanon to Marjaayoun in the south
Passes by more than 75 towns and villages
Invites visitors to discover and enjoy the natural beauty of
Lebanese mountains and her people
Serves as a catalyst to help unite and connect rural
communities of Lebanon
Generates direct economic benefits and supports low-income
people in rural communities
What is the Lebanon Mountain
Trail (LMT)?
The trail invites you to discover…
• Towering snow-capped mountains and deep lush valleys
• Magnificent vistas overlooking the Mediterranean
• Three nature reserves and a World Heritage Site
• Medieval and Ottoman castles
• Roman roads/temples and Byzantine churches
• Rock inscriptions by order of Roman Emperor Hadrian
• Old red-tiled roof villages
• Fascinating legends
• Palaces of the Emirs
• Birthplaces of literary giants
• Hermitages, rock-cut monasteries, and heritage museums
• Age-old culinary delights
• and much more…
The Lebanon Mountain Trail Project
• Core funding by
• Conceived and implemented by
• With the support of the Ministries
of Tourism and Environment
• Project Duration
December 2005 – December 2007
Objectives of the LMT project
• Delineate and map the Lebanon Mountain Trail
• Connect rural communities and bring people together
• Expand economic opportunities in rural areas
• Conserve natural and cultural heritage along the trail
• Establish the LMT Association to ensure sustainability
Components of the LMT project
`````````````````````
PROMOTIONPROMOTIONPROMOTIONPROMOTION
PARTNERSHIPSPARTNERSHIPSPARTNERSHIPSPARTNERSHIPS
TRAININGTRAININGTRAININGTRAINING
LODGINGLODGINGLODGINGLODGING
EVENTSEVENTSEVENTSEVENTS ATTRACTIONSATTRACTIONSATTRACTIONSATTRACTIONS
TRAIL
Trail Delineation
Based on carefully-selected
criteria and advice from
seasoned trekkers and local
stakeholders
Training Workshop on trail construction and maintenance organized with assistance from USFS
Ramlieh, November 16-19, 2006
Enhancing Rural Tourism Attractions
Mtein Historic Town Square Mar Laba Historic Town Square in Hasroun
Installation of interpretive panels on major attractions
Baatara Sinkhole (a.k.a. The Three Bridges)
Tannourine
Supporting rural events and festivals
Olive picking in Hasbaya (October 2006)
Apple picking in Aqoura (September 2006)
LMT Promotion & Marketing (2007)
September Made in America (Lebanon)
March 27-30HORECA (Lebanon)
May 15-19Garden Show (Lebanon)
May 14-17Global Ecotourism Conference (Oslo)
December 6-9AWTEE (Lebanon)
October Lire en Français et en Musique
(Lebanon)
February 20-22Educational Travel Conference (ETC)
in Baltimore
Mobilizing
volunteers to:
• Upgrade the trail
• Install trail markers
• Install interpretive panels
• Test lodging facilities
• Identify sponsors
• Promote the LMT
• And more …
Benefits of the LMT
• Promote ecotourism and rural tourism in Lebanon
• Project a positive image of Lebanon
• Support micro-enterprises (family run businesses, self employed people, eco tour operators)
• Create an incentive for investment in tourism services in
the LMT villages
• Conserve biodiversity and natural resources
• Protect natural and cultural monuments
• Induce behavioral change
• Promote local governance
Summary of Highlights for 2007+
• Engage local tour operators more
• Support micro-enterprises and family-run businesses
• Clear and mark more sections on the LMT
• Organize the first “thru-walk” of the LMT
• Launch the LMT website and publish the LMT guidebook
and maps
• Feature the LMT at international travel fairs
• Hand over the LMT management to the LMT Association
The LMT Project The LMT Association
Establishing the LMT Association
Objectives of the LMT Association
1. Develop, maintain and protect the Lebanon Mountain Trail
2. Protect the natural, cultural and architectural heritage and
landmarks along the trail
3. Enhance economic opportunities durably by promoting responsible
tourism
The LMT Association today
• Done to date:
– Articles of incorporation and
By-laws
– Registration with the
Lebanese Authorities
– 11 founding members
– Election of an executive
board
• 2007 plans:
– Recruit members
– Gradual hand over from the
LMT project
– Accept donations
Tourism packages on the LMT
A collaborative effort between
ECODIT and CIFA
The Centre d’Insertion par la Formation et l’Activité
under the LMT project
Case Study
The Baskinta Literary Trail
What is the Baskinta Literary Trail?
24- km thematic trail on the LMT
Links the sites of literary significance
in the region of Baskinta, North Mount
Lebanon
Showcases the birthplaces and
landscapes that have inspired the
works of famous writers and poets in
Baskinta region:
Mikhael Neaime, Abdallah Ghanem, Amin
Maalouf, Suleiman Kettaneh, and others
CIFA’s role
• Suggested and mapped the itinerary of the Literary Trail
• Verified information on the literary heritage of the region
• Identified the sites to visit
• Developed a signage plan for the Literary Trail (directional signs and interpretive panels)
• Drafted the content of the interpretive panels
• Organized a test walk on the Literary Trail to solicit
participants feedback
• Participated in community meetings organized by ECODIT
Benefits of the Literary Trail
• Exposure and additional source of income to local
tourism providers (guides, artists, cottage industry, guesthouses, etc.)
• Promote the cultural, literary and natural heritage of the
Baskinta region
• Increase local awareness of and pride in local heritage
• Foster local ownership over the Literary Trail (local guides and volunteers)
Baskinta Literary Trail in 2007
• Produce the Literary Trail map and brochure
• Install basic signage (directional signs and interpretive panels)
• Build the Abdallah Ghanem Cultural Park
• Train up to 10 local cultural guides
• Furnish and equip a local guesthouse in Baskinta
• Launch the Literary Trail
www.lebanontrail.org
www.ecodit.com
In USA
ECODIT, Inc.
1800 N. Kent St., Suite 1260
Arlington, VA 22209
USA
Phone: +1 703 841 1883
Fax: +1 703 841 1885
In Lebanon
ECODIT-LMT project office
Sacré Cœur Hospital Street
Ghaleb Center, 1st Floor
Baabda, LEBANON
Phone: +961 5 955 302/3
Fax : +961 5 955 304
*** Contact Us ***