If you follow this blog, then you’ll know that one of my biggest passions and goals is to promote responsible tourism. It’s a hugely important theme here in the Caucasus region especially, where some of the best travel experiences involve engaging with rural communities and immersing yourself in nature.
Tourism in the three South Caucasus countries – Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia – is rapidly developing against a backdrop of social and ecological issues. Tourism has huge potential, but that comes with great responsibility.
I can confidently say that 90% of travellers I encounter share my desire to support small businesses and ecotourism projects. But it’s not always easy. Information is still quite fragmented and a lot of the most interesting initiatives have little or no online presence, which makes doing your research a challenge.
That’s why I was so excited to learn of a new online resource for responsible travel in the region. Launched this year, GoCaucasus is a portal that brings together a huge volume of information in a user-friendly format to help you both plan a Caucasus itinerary, and track down value-aligned accommodations, tours and businesses as you go.
It’s the first time I’ve seen responsible tourism in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan discussed under one roof, which is hugely helpful in and of itself.
GoCaucasus was created by the regional environmental NGO, CENN, with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) via a grant from the regional Economic Development, Governance and Enterprise Growth (EDGE) Project.
In this blog, I’ll tell you a bit about the platform from my perspective and how you can use it.
Transparency: I was invited by CENN to share my thoughts on the GoCaucasus Portal and was compensated for the time spent writing this article. All opinions, endorsements and criticisms remain 100% my own.
Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.
Why is responsible tourism important in the Caucasus?
Beyond the Caucasus’ idyllic landscapes and enthralling cities, there are a whole host of social and environmental issues going on behind the scenes – some of which I touch on from time to time.
- Also read: Developing responsible tourism in Armenia.
In rural areas, many families turn to tourism as a source of income. It’s also an important mechanism for protecting cultural assets and sharing traditions. The region is extremely rich in this regard, as anyone who knows anything about food, wine, music or handicrafts in the Caucasus will tell you!
On top of that, the region is extremely biodiverse and ecologically significant. Tourism has become a critical factor in environmental protection, and all ventures share a duty to ensure tourism evolves in a responsible way.
Driving responsible tourism in the Caucasus
Responsible tourism isn’t necessarily a solution to any of these issues, but it is undoubtedly a step in the right direction. As an alternative to mass tourism, I personally think it’s the only way forward for the region.
Given their cultural diversity and natural beauty, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan are each perfectly positioned to develop gastro tourism, ecotourism and adventure travel. In some places this is already well underway, as you can see from the number of businesses already listed on GoCaucasus (more on that in a moment).
The South Caucasus is home to some of the most underrated food traditions and wine regions on earth, and the best way to experience the region’s culinary heritage is in family kitchens and at small workshops in the villages. I’ve been lucky enough to visit rural cheesemakers and vitiners in my travels, and it’s always a memorable experience.
Homestays and family guesthouses give tourists an opportunity to interact with local families, and there is huge potential to build a network of immersive accommodations across the region. When it comes to adventure travel, popular hiking routes are just the beginning: Lesser-known areas such as the Javakheti Protected Areas in southern Georgia, Lake Apri National Park in Armenia’s Shirak province and the Absheron National Park near Baku are only just coming into their own.
Where does the GoCaucasus Portal come in?
GoCaucasus acts as a directory of sorts for businesses and experiences in the region. Private companies operating in the tourism sector that meet the project’s criteria are listed on the portal, with all the details travellers need to connect with them directly and plan a visit.
I’ve already started using the site’s ‘Plan Your Trip’ section to research for an upcoming trip. There are a huge range of geographies and business types represented, from farm stays to handicraft producers, restaurants and tour operators. One thing they all have in common is their strong environmental values.
There are a few familiar faces on the portal, such as Aregak Cafe in Gyumri, Pesvebi Art-Studio in Kakheti, and traditional copper workers in Lahic. You’ll also find established businesses such as Lost Ridge Inn and the award-winning Shumi winery listed.
- Also read: My tips for responsible travel in Georgia.
Crucially, GoCaucasus is the only platform of its kind I’ve seen that covers all three Transcaucasus countries under one roof. This makes sense because so many people visit the trio of nations as part of the one travel itinerary. I firmly believe that the three countries should work in partnership to grow ecotourism particularly. GoCaucasus is an exciting step forward in this regard.
Using GoCaucasus to plan your trip
As well as the ability to research businesses based on your interests, you can use GoCaucasus to build a travel itinerary based on different themes. The website’s ‘What To Do’ section is great for this.
There are three themes: Adventure, natural and rural life (the three things I think this region does better than almost anywhere else). If you want to visit beekeepers, winemakers and cheesemakers and learn about these incredibly rich traditions, you can find them listed here.
If it’s meaningful encounters with nature you’re looking for, use the list of national parks and wildlife hotspots, recommendations for where to go cycling, skiing, hot air ballooning, rafting and zip-lining, and the selection of hiking routes curated by Biliki.
The South Caucasus is truly one of the best places in the world for cultural immersion and engaging with the environment. As tourism continues to grow in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, responsible travel values have never been more important.
I think the next few years will represent a big turning point for the region. I’m looking forward to seeing how the GoCaucasus Portal develops and the kind of partnerships it inspires, especially regionally.