Beirut: The Minister of Culture, Dr. Ghassan Salam©, convened with the President of the Lebanese Mountain Trail Association, Richard Bteich, along with the association's Executive Director, Omar Saqr, and members Joumana Zard Abu Jaoude, Sassine Mazraani, and Raja Abdallah, at the Sanayeh National Library. The meeting culminated in the signing of a memorandum of understanding aimed at promoting cultural and natural tourism in Lebanon.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the agreement highlights the increasing popularity of hiking and walking among Lebanese citizens and tourists, underscoring their benefits in terms of sport, culture, and environment. This MoU reflects the shared interests of the Ministry and the Lebanese Mountain Trail Association in exploring nature and local cultural heritage.
Key provisions of the MoU, as stated by the Ministry of Culture's press office, include the recognition of the Lebanon Mountain Trail's significant role, along with its secondary trails and the landscapes they cover. The Ministry is set to support the association's activities, collaborating on projects linked to the trail, while respecting its own criteria and discretion. Both parties agree to seek local and international funding for joint initiatives and will work together on historical explanations and mapping the trail's route.
The Ministry clarified that its support under this protocol will be voluntary and non-binding, with no financial obligations or expectations of future commitments. The collaboration aims to preserve both tangible and intangible heritage along the Lebanon Mountain Trail, leveraging available financial and human resources.