News from the American Friends of the LMT
Expanding LMT’s Reach in the United States As part of its Mission, the American Friends of the LMT (AFLMT) works to strengthen ties between Lebanon, in particular the LMT community there, and the USA. The AFLMT encourages Lebanese Americans and American hikers and friends of Lebanon to visit Lebanon, walk on the LMT, and discover or re-discover the unique natural and cultural heritage of its mountains. To better serve this objective, the AFLMT has begun to overhaul its social media infrastructure, in particular its website and Facebook Page. This effort has included a sustained campaign of targeted Facebook postings on LMT activities as well as stories about heritage and life in the mountains of Lebanon. As a result, the number of page fans more than doubled in a period of four months, increasing from less than 700 in early April 2014 to more than 1,500 by mid-July 2014. As page fans share posts within their
Expanding LMT’s Reach in the United States As part of its Mission, the American Friends of the LMT (AFLMT) works to strengthen ties between Lebanon, in particular the LMT community there, and the USA. The AFLMT encourages Lebanese Americans and American hikers and friends of Lebanon to visit Lebanon, walk on the LMT, and discover or re-discover the unique natural and cultural heritage of its mountains. To better serve this objective, the AFLMT has begun to overhaul its social media infrastructure, in particular its website and Facebook Page. This effort has included a sustained campaign of targeted Facebook postings on LMT activities as well as stories about heritage and life in the mountains of Lebanon. As a result, the number of page fans more than doubled in a period of four months, increasing from less than 700 in early April 2014 to more than 1,500 by mid-July 2014. As page fans share posts within their own networks, posts on the AFLMT Page are now also reaching thousands of people and wider audiences. As more people learn about the LMT, the AFLMT hopes that the circle of LMT friends and benefactors will continue to widen.
networks, posts on the AFLMT Page are now also reaching thousands of people and wider audiences. As more people learn about the LMT, the AFLMT hopes that the circle of LMT friends and benefactors will continue to widen. AFLMT Grants to LMTA since 2010 Year
Grant Amount
Grant Purpose
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2014 2014
$20,000 $7,500 $7,000 $3,000 $650 $7,500 $3,000
LMT Video Documentary General Support - Matching Grants Adopt the Baskinta Literary Trail Signage Prototype for the LMT Customer Relations Management Software Beds and Beddings for LMT Guesthouses Baskinta Guesthouses Upgrades
The LMTA wishes to thank the AFLMT and its benefactors for their continued support over the years.
News Overseas
LMT Photo exhibition in Brussels, by Rend Haffar
The LMT in Amsterdam
The first time I walked the LMT was for 10 days from Beqaa Sefrine to Hrajel in the summer of 2012. Along the way, I took some photos and showed them to my friends in Belgium, who encouraged me to put on an exhibition. So I contacted a friend who runs a photo gallery in Brussels called “Galerie Verhaeren” and we agreed to organize the exhibition in December 2013!
The LMT was represented at the Cycling & Hiking fare in Amsterdam (dates) by Wim Balvert, our Dutch ambassador to the LMT! The fair received more than 20000 visitors most of who are serious hikers or cyclists. LMT publications were on display and Wim gave two presentations about the LMT which drew about 60 visitors who expressed solid interest in the LMT and the annual thru-walk.
When the LMTA announced its annual Through Walk, I felt the need to walk the trail again and cover new sections from Falougha to Marjaayoun where the trail ends! The contrast between the snow-covered mountains in the north and the sun-soaked fields in the south typifies Lebanon’s diverse climate. The exhibition was well attended and followed by a meeting with people who expressed interest in the country, the trail and the photos. Many people came to the exhibition because the word “Lebanon” already meant something to them; the exhibition gave them a more nuanced vision of the country. Proceeds from the sale of the photos went to support the activities of the LMTA.
The 4th World Trails Conference (Jan.15-17, 2014)
Attended by 50 trail institutions and organizations from 18 different countries including Lebanon, the 4th World Trails Conference was a stunning success! Hosted by the Jeju Olle Foundation in Korea, the WTC saw the official launch of the Asia Trails Network (a council of 12 major trail organizations from Korea, China and Japan) and the establishment of the ‘World Trails Network’ (see box). The LMTA was represented by Board member Ms. Mirvat Bakkour who participated in three days of conferences and activities, as well as the official opening of the Lebanon Mountain Trail Friendship Trail on Jeju Olle (Route 9). The WTC is the world’s leading trail event where trail personnel and volunteers convene and discuss the strategic direction for the trail industry. The LMTA thanks Jeju Olle Foundation for their hospitality and impeccable organization of this event!
The World Trails Network (WTN) The WTN brings trail associations, trail advocates, walkers and hikers together from around the world to foster global collaboration and networking for the betterment of the world’s great trail destinations. The network was established during the 2012 World Trails Conference in Jeju, with a leadership committee of 12 renowned trail organizations.and impeccable organization of this event! « The spirit of international cooperation and sharing we are championing I hope will go a long way to ensure trails continue to play an important role in local communities unlocking real benefits, while inspiring hikers and walkers across the world for generations to come.» Galeo Saintz, Founding Chair WTN
Thank you AFLMT! Thank you AFLMT Benefactors!
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www.lebanontrail.org
LMT Society
www.lebanontrail.org
LMT Society
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