Duration: 2023-2026
Geographic area: Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan
Implemented by: J.E. Austin Associates, Inc.
Partner: CENN
Donor: USAID
The purpose of the USAID South Caucasus Regional Tourism Development Program (SCRTP) is to build durable regional cooperation among Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, based on market drivers and shared economic interests in the tourism sector, thereby contributing to cohesion and peace in the South Caucasus region. The successful implementation of the program will create new market linkages between private sector actors which establish shared interests and generate win-win-win gains for collaboration and peace in the region. The program will also facilitate collaboration and regional dialogue involving government and civil society actors to support tourism development. This will serve as a model for more expansive engagement across other sectors and issues, expanding upon the program’s work to promote peace and prosperity in the region.
The project’s main purpose is to provide technical assistance to tourism enterprises, aiming to integrate sustainable practices into their operations. These illustrative activities include: Developing and implementing sustainability guidelines and practices for tourism businesses; Facilitating capacity-building workshops for SMEs in and around protected areas; Offering expertise to promote eco-tourism and conservation efforts; Facilitating connections between tourism SMEs and public authorities managing protected areas; Encouraging dialogue to find solutions for minimizing environmental impact and enhancing sustainability; Collaborating with SMEs and authorities to develop sustainable tourism practices; Initiating projects that balance economic development with environmental preservation.