IAU Supports Armenian Astro Tourism

The IAU-Office of Astronomy for Development’s (OAD) fourth annual call for proposals has concluded and 18 projects have been selected to receive funding in 2016.

From Armenia three proposals were submitted and only one of them “Development of Astro Tourism in South West Asia” was selected for funding. South West Asia has always been visible to the world due to its science and culture. The Astro tourism package will continue this tradition by grouping ancient and modern astronomical attractions of the region. Astro Tourism may significantly contribute to education by involving school pupils and students in cognitive tours to research organizations. It requires a tight collaboration between science and tourism, i. e. research institutions and individual astronomers on one hand, and travel agencies and experts in tourism on the other hand. It also concerns the organization of Astronomical conferences and other events, as in this case a number of astronomers travel to the given country combining science and tourism. Astronomy will also benefit from promoting Astro Tourism, both by its wider advertisement and financially. The leader of the project is Areg Mickaelian, Director of IAU SWA ROAD and the manager is Sona Farmanyan among the project team members are also Naira Nalbandyan and Gor Mikayelyan.

The call for proposals received a total of 124 applications between June and September 2015. The three Task Forces reviewed all the completed applications and submitted recommendations to the Steering Committee, which approved the final list of projects. The total amount that will be granted to the funded projects will be €111.704.

By Sona Farmanyan