Mtirala National Park Tourism Development Strategy and Action Plan
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
MTIRALA NATIONAL PARK TOURISM DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN PROVISION OF SERVICES FOR ELABORATION OF ADJARA PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY AND PLAN OF ACTION UNDP-supported and GEF-financed Project: Expansion and Improved Management Effectiveness of the Adjara Region´s Protected Areas November 2016 Contract: #064/09/2015 – Provision of Services for Elaboration of Adjara Protected Areas System Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy and Plan of Action MTIRALA NATIONAL PARK TOURISM DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN The strategy was elaborated by HIDRIA Ciencia, ambiente y desarrollo S.L. with support from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Georgia, and the Agency of the Protected Areas of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of Georgia. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author/s and do not necessarily represent those of the United Nations or UNDP. Mtirala National Park Strategy and Action Plan 2 Contract: #064/09/2015 – Provision of Services for Elaboration of Adjara Protected Areas System Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy and Plan of Action TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................................... 7 2. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 12 2.1. BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................................ 12 2.2. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PLAN ..................................................................................... 13 2.3. GENERAL APPROACH ..................................................................................................................... 13 2.4. METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................................. 15 3. MTIRALA NATIONAL PARK AND SUPPORT ZONE ............................................................... 17 3.1. GENERAL INFORMATION ............................................................................................................... 17 3.2. SOCIOECONOMIC FRAMEWORK .................................................................................................... 20 4. ASSESSMENT OF THE AREA .............................................................................................. 24 4.1. MTIRALA NATIONAL PARK MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION ........................................... 24 4.1.1. Management system ................................................................................................................. 24 4.1.2. Existing Management Plan ........................................................................................................ 25 4.1.3. Zoning ......................................................................................................................................... 27 4.2. ASESSMENT OF THE ATTRACTION AND SERVICES OF MTIRALA NATIONAL PARK AND SUPPORT ZONE ........................................................................................................................................................ 30 4.2.1. Description and Key Features of the Area .................................................................................. 30 4.2.2. Evaluation of infrastructures and services available .................................................................. 36 4.2.3. Outdoor recreational activities ................................................................................................... 43 4.2.4. Description and evaluation of environmental education programs/volunteer programs .......... 45 4.3. DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPORT ZONE ........................................................................................... 46 4.3.1. Cultural resources in Mtirala National Park Support Zone ......................................................... 46 4.3.2. Analysis of business in the support zone: lodges/accommodation, restaurants, shops ............. 50 4.4. ANALYSIS OF TOURISM DEMAND .................................................................................................. 55 4.4.1. Existing tourism demand ............................................................................................................ 55 4.4.2. Economic benefits for local communities ................................................................................... 57 4.4.3. Market trends and influences affecting consumer behaviour .................................................... 58 4.4.4. Potential tourism markets .......................................................................................................... 59 4.5. MARKETING AND PROMOTION ..................................................................................................... 60 4.6. ANALYSIS OF THE MAIN CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES..................................................... 63 4.6.1. Constraints for tourism development in Mtirala National Park ................................................. 63 4.6.2. Main Opportunities and Competitive advantages of Mtirala National Park .............................. 65 5. SWOT AND TOWS ANALYSIS ............................................................................................ 67 5.1. SWOT and TOWS analysis .............................................................................................................. 67 6. POTENTIAL TOURISM SERVICES AND FACILITIES – BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES .................... 72 6.1. DESCRIPTION OF POTENTIAL TOURISM PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO BE DEVELOPED .............. 73 7. STRATEGIC PLAN .............................................................................................................. 75 7.1. VISION, MISSION AND GOALS ....................................................................................................... 75 Mtirala National Park Strategy and Action Plan 3 Contract: #064/09/2015 – Provision of Services for Elaboration of Adjara Protected Areas System Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy and Plan of Action 7.2. STRATEGY ....................................................................................................................................... 76 8. ACTION PLAN ................................................................................................................... 77 9. SUMMARY OF ACTIONS ................................................................................................. 128 10. ANNEXES ....................................................................................................................... 134 10.1. ANNEX 1: VISITOR QUESTIONNAIRE ............................................................................................ 134 10.2. ANNEX 2: MAPS ............................................................................................................................ 137 10.3. ANNEX 3: PROPOSAL FOR TRAIL DEVELOPMENT ........................................................................ 150 10.4. ANNEX 4: EXAMPLES OF HOW TO PREPARE A THEMATIC TOUR AND AN EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY FOR FAMILIES ............................................................................................................................................. 154 10.5. ANNEX 5: MINUTES OF MEETING- STRATEGY VALIDATION WORKSHOP ................................... 157 11. BIBLIOGRAPHY............................................................................................................... 164 Mtirala National Park Strategy and Action Plan 4 Contract: #064/09/2015 – Provision of Services for Elaboration of Adjara Protected Areas System Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy and Plan of Action List of Tables Table 1: Demographic data of Mtirala National Park support zone. Source: Black Sea Eco Academy ............ 20 Table 2: Demographic data of Mtirala National Park support zone settlements. Source: Black Sea Eco Academy .......................................................................................................................................................................... 21 Table 3: Distribution of Mtirala National Park support zone population according to age and gender. Source: Black Sea Eco Academy .................................................................................................................................... 22 Table 4: Activities allowed within each category of the protected areas and functional zones ...................... 29 Table 5: Tree and shrub species on the Mtirala National Park territory that are included in the Red List of Georgia. Source: Mtirala National Park Management Plan. ............................................................................ 33 Table 6: Fauna species included in the IUCN Red List (categories CR, EN and VU) and in the Red List of Georgia categories CR and EN to be met on the National Park territory. Source: Mtirala National Park Management Plan ................................................................................................................................................................... 34 Table 7: Mtirala National Park administration building in Chakvi. Source: MTNP ........................................... 37 Table 8: Number of visitors to Mtirala National Park. Source: MTNP .............................................................