The Lebanon Mountain Trail Celebrating a Shared Heritage
What is the Lebanon Mountain Trail (LMT)? 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
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
The Lebanon Mountain Trail Project Partners
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
LODGING
PROMOTION
TRAINING
TRAIL `````````````````````
EVENTS
ATTRACTIONS
PARTNERSHIPS
Partnerships and collaborative planning
Trail Delineation Based on carefully-selected criteria and advice from seasoned trekkers and local stakeholders
Test Walking Volunteers and tour operators test walked and validated the LMT from North to South
Trail construction, clearing & marking
Trail clearing in Hasbaya
Trail construction in Bcharre
Mapping
The trail was divided into 24 day-sections to be featured on user-friendly maps
Training Workshop on trail construction and maintenance organized with assistance from USFS Ramlieh, November 16-19, 2006
Developing Lodging Facilities
Section of Al Qantar palace - Mtein
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) Educational Travel Conference (ETC) in Baltimore HORECA (Lebanon)
February 20-22
March 27-30
Garden Show (Lebanon)
May 15-19
Global Ecotourism Conference (Oslo)
May 14-17
Made in America (Lebanon) Lire en Franรงais et en Musique (Lebanon) AWTEE (Lebanon)
September October December 6-9
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
Establishing the LMT Association The LMT Project
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 Case Study The Baskinta Literary Trail
A collaborative effort between ECODIT and CIFA The Centre d’Insertion par la Formation et l’Activité under the LMT project
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)
Selection of the Literary Trail landmarks
Local artist’s impressions of a selection of the Literary Trail landmarks
Local guesthouse
Mymoune rural production center
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
*** Contact Us *** In Lebanon
In USA
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
ECODIT, Inc. 1800 N. Kent St., Suite 1260 Arlington, VA 22209 USA Phone: +1 703 841 1883 Fax: +1 703 841 1885
lmt@ecodit.com www.lebanontrail.org www.ecodit.com