Results of the Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment in RA Tourism Sector and draft Sectorial Adaptation Plan were summarized and presented during an online workshop held on February 3. The work was conducted by EV Consulting CJSC, in the frame of UNDP-GCF Armenia’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) project.

The aim of the workshop was to present and discuss with stakeholders results of the climate risk and vulnerability assessment done for a number of subsectors of tourism sector, identifying areas of activity, types and beneficiary groups that are most vulnerable to climate change; present priority adaptation measures as well as collect comments and suggestions to further amend and finalize the documents.

In his welcoming speech, RA Deputy Minister of Economy Narek Teryan emphasized the importance of climate risk and vulnerability assessment of the tourism sector and development of sectoral adaptation plan, saying that they define and condition implementation of necessary transformations of the sector.

“The work carried out in the frame of this study is aimed at assisting the RA Ministry of Economy in planning development programs in the sector, as well as designing relevant measures, as a result allowing to have a more detailed assessment of identified adaptation measures and development of conceptual documents to support investments”, said Deputy Minister Teryan, adding that following climate change impacts and directing sectoral developments accordingly is essential for diversifying the existing potential of the country, having infrastructures that correspond to international standards and prolonging the active tourist season.

RA Deputy Minister of Environment Anna Mazmanyan noted that measures and actions necessary for the adaptation of the tourism sector to the negative impacts of climate change still need in-depth analysis.

“Although there is an impression that tourism in Armenia is well developed, and for example, in 2019 we had a record number of visitors, however, in my opinion, we still have a lot to do in terms of including climate change related issues in sectoral development strategy and infrastructure development approaches. I particularly find important to raise the awareness of all stakeholders involved in the field on climate change related issues, so that they, in turn, can inform tourists about those”, - said Deputy Minister Mazmanyan mentioning that actions should also be to raise awareness of hotels and restaurants operating in the field on their negative impact on climate change and important role in actions aimed at carbon footprint reduction.

Welcoming the participants, UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia Natia Natsvlishvili emphasized the very close connection between climate change and the tourism sector in the world, as well as in Armenia.

“Rising sea levels, extreme temperatures, increase in the frequency and intensity of weather extremes, decrease in precipitation including snowfall, other negative impacts of climate change affect significantly the sector, reducing number of visitors and posing a risk for the infrastructure assets. Particularly in Armenia, these are not risks that can be easily disregarded. Tourism is one of the key economic sectors in Armenia: direct impact of tourism on the GDP in 2019 was around 4.6 percent and it provided over 13.8 percent of total employment, also tourism and related services accounted for nearly two-third of total service exports. It means that any impact on the tourism is very significant for the country as a whole. Therefore, when discussing sustainable development of the sector, it is important to identify, plan and implement comprehensive and evidence-based adaptation measures that will ensure resilience and adaptation capacity building, as well as disaster response in communities, regions that are most vulnerable to climate change”, said Natia Natsvlishvili noting that the tourism sector adaptation plan will support the country in mainstreaming climate change risks and adaptation considerations and measures into sector development plans and strategies, making the sector systems, infrastructure, and services more resilient to climate change and contributing to medium and long-term sustainability goals.

Over 75 stakeholders participated in the online workshop including representatives of Ministries of Environment, Emergency situations and Economy, the Statistics committee, Yerevan Municipality, Lori Regional administration, UNDP, regional and non-governmental organizations, educational institutions and international organizations.

Agenda of the event