Accessible Armenia: "Our goal is to make Armenia an accessible destination"

On June 8, 2023, the first fully equipped trail in Armenia for people with disabilities was officially opened on the territory next to Lake Parz in Dilijan National Park. Now walking around the most picturesque lake in Dilijan is accessible to people in wheelchairs. The initiators of this important project, Eugenia and Astghik, are the founders of Accessible Armenia. They are engaged in creating an inclusive tourism infrastructure in Armenia.

How it all began

Eugenia

I was born and raised in Artsakh, received a bachelor's degree from Artsakh State University in the field of Tourism, then moved to Yerevan and enrolled in a master's degree at Yerevan State University, where I met Astghik. That's where our project started. My studies at the University of Madrid also had a great influence on the development of the project, I studied there by the exchange program for students "Erasmus". There I continued my education in the field of tourism and within six months I managed to get acquainted with the city. Spain, unlike Armenia, is a country with a very accessible infrastructure. A girl in a wheelchair studied with us. She calmly attended classes: she got into the transport on her own and went up to the fourth floor, where classes were held. This impressed me a lot. Subsequently, all this influenced the choice of our main direction - to make Armenia a country with accessible tourism.

After studying in Madrid, I returned to Artsakh, where I lived, worked and developed tourism. Astghik and I often go hiking, as we both adore the nature of Armenia. Once, during a walk by Lake Parz, we discussed how great it would be if everyone could enjoy this beauty. People with disabilities could only see the lake from a distance, from the parking lot. They didn't even have the opportunity to take a walk, and we give them this opportunity to enjoy being in the bosom of nature. It was very important for us.

Astghik

My specialty is also related to tourism. I received a bachelor's degree in the specialty "Cultural Services and Tourism" and a master's degree in the specialty "Tourism and Service" at Yerevan State University, where I met Eugenia. For me, the determining factor in the creation of this project was my education, my mindset and interests. Since my school days, tourism has been a very attractive area for me that I wanted to explore.

My grandparents are from Van, on my mother's side there are also relatives from Artsakh. As Eugenia says, we should have had something in common in genetics (laughs).

The topic of accessible tourism has always been in my head in various forms, I am quite an empathic person. The incident of 2020 had a strong influence on me, when after the war there were many injured children moving in a wheelchair and in need of rehabilitation. There was an urgent need to create a convenient infrastructure.

Why Lake Parz

Eugenia

We chose the trail around Lake Parz because it is quite developed in terms of tourist infrastructure, and it is also one of the most popular tourist destinations. Important was the fact that there was a narrow trail built by the organization "Trails for Change", but it was not intended for people with disabilities.

What is this trail for people with disabilities

Eugenia

The trail on the territory of Lake Parz, the so-called Loop Trail, is a circular trail that was not previously accessible to everyone: narrow, with loose soil and steep slopes. What have we done? The trail was widened, and those parts where there was a steep slope were leveled with a stone foundation. We built a wooden bridge on a section of the trail with swampy wet soil. At the end of the way, in a very picturesque place, we made an observation deck - here you can stop and enjoy the view. An important point: now there is an adapted bathroom for people with disabilities on the territory. We also plan to make special railings and benches. Only eco-friendly materials were used in the construction, since we are dealing with a nature protection zone.

Astghik

The entire surface of the trail is tightly packed with red rubble. On the territory of the National Park, we could not use cement and concrete as a material for construction, as this contradicts environmental standards. Also, as Eugenia said, in one part of the trail we have a platform made of boards, resistant to slipping and dampness.

Eugenia

I will add that we have not just expanded the trail. We have built a very stable foundation under it: somewhere from stones, somewhere from the ground. We covered all this in several layers and tamped it down. Earlier, when we passed along this path, on our return our feet were in mud: it is often rainy and damp in Dilijan. We were very happy when we first walked along the trail we built and didn't get dirty at all, although the weather was the same. It was incredible! So this trail is convenient not only for people in a wheelchair, but for everyone in general.

About future plans and goals

Eugenia

Since we are Accessible Armenia, our goal is to make the entire territory of Armenia accessible. Of course, this is a very big goal. It is important for us that tourism is inclusive and for everyone, so we will follow this principle in the implementation of all our future projects. This is just the beginning.

Astghik

We started with the construction of a trail, but this does not mean that this is our ultimate and only goal. We do not set ourselves restrictions in the development of infrastructure. Of course, we have plans for the future, but it's too early to announce them. Eugenia and I are constantly thinking about future projects and periodically conduct brainstorming sessions.

Top 3 problems in Armenian tourism according to Eugenia and Astghik

Eugenia

Inclusiveness. Unfortunately, Armenia is not yet an inclusive destination. The second most important problem is education in the field of tourism. There is still a lack of specialist competencies. It's about real tourism, not education in a few months. We need new approaches in the field of tourism education. The third problem is the high cost. Armenia is a very expensive tourist destination, this prevents it from being a priority for tourists.

Astghik

In the field of tourism, we have a problem of state regulation. We have studied Tourism Destination Management (DMO) well and are aware of the importance of institutionalized tourism. It should be a tourist activity that has its own characteristics in the environment where it is carried out. The main role in tourism should be played not only by a travel agency, a guide and a driver. This should be systematized by the DMO. The lack of education leads to the fact that the main character in the tourism sector becomes a guide. We have been asked more than once if we are guides, since we receive education in the field of tourism.

Gratitude

Eugenia

The project of building a trail for people with disabilities was a startup for us. But, as they say, beginners are lucky (laughs). On our way, we met wonderful people, without whose assistance we would not have been able to implement our project. We thank our colleagues, partners, employees of the National Park and the staff at Lake Parz. The Ministry of the Environment also assisted us. Of course, the topic of the project played an important role in the desire to help, or not to interfere with its implementation. We have made a lot of friends thanks to this project.

Astghik

I agree with Eugenia. The team of Innovative Tourism and Technology Development for Armenia (ITTD), where we implemented the project, helped us so much on many points that we did not even expect such support. There were many problems, force majeure situations, and everyone made a great contribution to solving these problems. And, of course, the local Dilijan business - from an ordinary employee to the management - helped us as much as possible both by the exchange of experience and the consistency of their actions.

Limited mobility is not an obstacle to visiting Lake Parz in Dilijan National Park. Now it is a wonderful and comfortable place to walk! A wide, comfortable and equipped trail is already waiting for you in Dilijan and will be a great place for a weekend.

The circular trail from Accessible Armenia is the second inclusive project in Dilijan, along with the product "Affordable Dilijan" from #GotoDili and AR Trails for people with hearing disabilities, which is a virtual guide with whom you can take a tour of the city.

Eugenia and Astghik, the founders of Accessible Armenia.