Lebanon’s Minister of Culture, Ghassan Salamé, recently met with the president of the Lebanese Mountain Trail Association, Richard Bteich, the association’s executive director, Omar Saqr, and members Joumana Zard Abu Jaoude, Sassine Mazraani, and Raja Abdallah.
A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Ministry and the association. Hiking and walking are among the most popular activities in the country, generating growing interest among Lebanese and tourists alike, due to their cultural, and environmental benefits, and the opportunity they offer to explore nature and discover local cultural heritage.
Both parties emphasised the important role of the Lebanon Mountain Trail and its secondary trails, as well as the natural and cultural landscapes they encompass.
The Ministry will support the association’s activities and cooperate on joint projects related to the Lebanon Mountain Trail, according to its own criteria and at its sole discretion, in order to preserve tangible and intangible heritage.
Both parties will cooperate in the preparation and implementation of joint projects related to the Lebanon Mountain Trail and will seek local and international funding.
Both parties will cooperate in the preparation of historical explanations of the heritage and intangible sites in the regions and villages located along the trail, as well the development of a map of the route and the sites along it.
