Ecotourism

Ecotourism in Pankisi Valley

Ecotourism is an important form of tourism involving responsible travel to and within natural areas. Conserving the environment and improving the well-being of the local people are its core attributes. It educates the traveller, directly benefits the local community, and fosters respect for different cultures. Pankisi Valley possesses the key characteristics for ecotourism to thrive.

Sustainable ecotourism aims to improve the living standards of local communities and provide an environment suitable for tourists. For sustainable local ecotourism to succeed, it needs the active involvement of local inhabitants, businesses, and tourists. It is crucial for small communities involved in ecotourism such as Pankisi Valley’s, to apply sustainability principles and practices that will have a positive impact on inhabitants and the environment.

The main principles of sustainable development are economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection. Pankisi Valley's local economy is driven by small businesses, job creation, education, and training in ecotourism. Respect for the local culture, customs and identity of inhabitants, fosters better understanding and tolerance. Together with caring for the environment, these elements represent core values supporting sustainable ecotourism and its development in this region.

Environmental protection

Raising the awareness of the people involved in local tourism and tourists about the environment is fundamental to protecting and preserving the ecosystems and biodiversity. In order to help maintain and restore the environment, volunteering projects enable locals to clean up the environment and learn about the impact of littering, plastics and pollution. These activities are educational and essential for creating awareness and taking positive action.

Tourists have an important responsibility to minimise environmental impact by applying the right behaviour and practices such as reducing noise, walking on defined paths, disposing of litter appropriately, not disturbing or picking plants, and other requirements.

Economic benefits

In Pankisi Valley, ecotourism is the only industry offering job opportunities. There is significant potential in the valley to develop sustainable ecotourism to offer jobs to the local community, which will help to moderate and alleviate poverty, and improve living standards.

Ecotourism provides a platform for tourists to support local producers by buying their products. This directly improves economic prosperity. In Pankisi Valley, local producers offer quality honey, cheese, non-alcoholic beer and handicrafts, which tourists can purchase.

Experiencing new cultures

Kist culture, traditions, and way of life, are an important highlight for many tourists visiting Pankisi Valley. Staying at a family-run guest house provides an authentic experience of local culture and customs. Pankisi Valley's ecotourism offers tourists opportunities to interact with local people and experience horse riding, hiking, felt making, bee keeping, gastronomy, beer making, Sufi Zikr, and folk songs and music, with them.

The role of PVTDA

Pankisi Valley Tourism and Development Association (PVTDA) plays a key role in driving the development of local sustainable ecotourism through its work, activities and projects with local stakeholders and partners. The emergence of tourism in the valley has been the most significant turning point in its recent history. For the last decade tourism has been the principal catalyst for positive social and economic change.

PVTDA recognises the importance of sustainable ecotourism and its benefits, particularly for the Kist community and region. This awareness gives the much needed stimulus for harnessing Pankisi Valley’s potential to accelerate socio-economic growth and prosperity.