international tourism - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 1 - 6 of 27

Kyrgyzstan Launches Sustainable Tourism Development Program

The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan has approved a new Program for Sustainable Tourism Development which is set to run until 2030. The program aims to significantly enhance the country's tourism sector, focusing on sustainable growth, regional development, and environmental preservation. Program Priorities The program outlines several key areas for development: Strengthening state policy, improving regulations, and enhancing strategic management in tourism. Boosting the attractiveness of tourism services for both domestic and international travelers. Leveraging digital technologies to simplify access to tourism products. Ensuring the safety and security of tourists. Preserving and promoting Kyrgyzstan’s historical, cultural, and natural heritage while maintaining ecological balance. Stimulating regional development and supporting local economies through tourism initiatives. Improving transport, hotel, and tourism infrastructure. Encouraging the adoption of green technologies and supporting environmentally friendly practices. Promoting niche tourism markets such as medical, sports, and health resort tourism. The program has ambitious goals, including increasing tourism's contribution to the national GDP to 7% and achieving a 10% annual growth in the number of domestic and foreign tourists. Currently, tourism accounts for 2.7% of Kyrgyzstan’s GDP. Rising Tourism Numbers Kyrgyzstan’s tourism industry has seen steady growth in recent years. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the country is expected to have attracted more than 10.5 million foreign tourists in 2024, up from 8.5 million in 2023. In the first eight months of 2024 alone, Kyrgyzstan welcomed 6.1 million foreign visitors. The majority of tourists came from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia, followed by travelers from Turkey, China, India, Germany, Pakistan, the United States, and South Korea. Infrastructure and Investment On January 11, the First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Daniyar Amangeldiev, chaired a meeting on tourism development. The discussions centered on improving tourism infrastructure, creating favorable conditions for investment in the sector, and designing new tourist routes. Amangeldiev emphasized the pivotal role of tourism in driving economic growth and creating jobs. As part of the government's plans, 40 new tourist bases are expected to open across the country by 2025. These will be developed in cooperation with local communities and investors. “We must improve services, develop unique routes, and ensure tourists’ safety throughout their journey in Kyrgyzstan,” Amangeldiev stated. A Vision for the Future With its diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and growing global recognition, Kyrgyzstan is positioning itself as a major tourism destination in Central Asia. The new program aims to transform the sector into a key driver of sustainable development, while preserving the country’s natural and cultural treasures for future generations.

Tourism international tourism travel Cultural Heritage

Condé Nast Traveler Names Kyrgyzstan’s Karakol Among 25 Best Places to Visit in 2025

Condé Nast Traveler has crowned the Kyrgyz town of Karakol as the "adventure capital of Central Asia" and included it in its prestigious list of the 25 best places to visit in 2025. Located southeast of Lake Issyk-Kul, and approximately 150km from the Kyrgyzstan-China border, Karakol is Kyrgyzstan’s premier winter tourism hub. The city boasts the nation’s largest and best mountain ski resort. The magazine highlights Karakol as a prime destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering activities such as hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, and paragliding. It also praises the Karakol ski base, the highest ski resort in Central Asia, perched at an altitude of 1.8 miles. Looking ahead, Karakol is set to further solidify its reputation as a winter sports haven. A new resort, Three Peaks, is scheduled to open in 2026 in collaboration with French ski specialists Société des Trois-Vallées. This development is expected to attract even more winter sports enthusiasts to the region. Beyond adventure, Condé Nast Traveler lauds Karakol’s cultural and culinary diversity. The city is home to a mix of Uyghur, Uzbek, Kyrgyz, Kalmak, Dungan, and Russian communities. This multicultural heritage has given rise to unique attractions, including wooden "gingerbread" houses, cold ashlan-fu soup, and the Dungan Mosque, built in 1907 by Chinese artisans. The mosque reflects Buddhist influences, with a pagoda replacing the traditional minaret. Condé Nast Traveler suggests visiting Karakol between June and September for trekking and cultural tours, while December through April is ideal for winter sports enthusiasts. The city has become more accessible with the reopening of its reconstructed international airport in December 2024. This development allows travelers to reach Karakol from Bishkek in under an hour by plane. Alternatively, the journey takes 6-7 hours by car or bus.

Bilateral Cooperation Disinformation Cultural Cooperation Mass Media international tourism

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Intensify Efforts to Combat Disinformation

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have agreed to deepen their collaboration in the information sector, focusing on combating disinformation and fake news. The agreement was formalized during a meeting between representatives from Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Culture and Information and Uzbekistan’s Agency of Information and Mass Communications under the President’s Administration in Tashkent. A cooperation plan for 2025 was signed, covering several initiatives, including media content exchange, training programs for journalists and press secretaries, and support for young media professionals. This agreement builds on commitments made during Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to Kazakhstan on August 8, when both nations adopted a joint statement on mass communication cooperation. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Culture and Information emphasized the importance of establishing robust mechanisms to counter fake news and fostering media integration through collaborative projects. The meeting also highlighted plans to organize press tours aimed at enhancing journalistic expertise and strengthening professional ties. A key focus was the development of the Silk Way TV channel, presented by Robert Muradyan, Managing Director of Kazakhstan’s Presidential TV and Radio Complex. The channel is envisioned as a platform for expanding content exchange among Central Asian nations. Additionally, Kazakhstan’s delegation is participating in the VI meeting of ministers and officials responsible for media, hosted by the Organization of Turkic States from December 17 to 19. Both sides expressed their readiness to bolster cooperation, which they see as integral to achieving strategic goals in media development and countering information threats. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are proactively addressing the issue of disinformation through legislative and educational measures. In Kazakhstan, the dissemination of false information is punishable by administrative and criminal penalties, including fines or imprisonment of up to seven years, with the severity of the punishment determined by the level of harm caused. Uzbekistan has also taken significant steps. In September 2024, the First Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan Media Forum was held in Tashkent, where participants discussed cooperative efforts to combat disinformation and improve media literacy. Uzbekistan is also implementing projects to establish cooperative mechanisms in the media sphere and organize press tours for journalists to enhance their skills. Both nations recognize the critical importance of combating disinformation to maintain the integrity of their media landscapes. By prioritizing educational initiatives, international collaboration, and media literacy, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are taking meaningful steps to ensure a more informed and resilient public.

tourism industry international tourism GDP Economy Tourism

Uzbekistan Named Most Desirable Emerging Destination for 2024

Uzbekistan emerged as the Most Desirable Emerging Destination for 2024. For the 23rd year, Wanderlust Travel magazine has invited readers to select their favorite destinations for its annual Reader Travel Awards. This year, 168,000 readers cast more than three million votes across 22 categories recognizing top destinations, tour operators, and tourism brands. Renowned for its Silk Road heritage, Uzbekistan offers a unique blend of historical and natural attractions. The Wanderlust report highlighted the country’s ancient cities, including Samarkand and Bukhara, as “remarkable time capsules” with Islamic architecture and bustling bazaars. Samarkand’s Registan Square was described as "unmissable." The report also praised Uzbekistan's natural landscapes, such as the Kyzylkum Desert and the Aral Sea, which remain lesser-known but equally impressive highlights. Uzbekistan’s tourism sector is rapidly expanding. Between January and October 2024, the country welcomed 6.5 million foreign visitors, a 17.2% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This growth equates to an additional 951,300 tourists. In June, a group led by Professor Gil Stein from the University of Chicago toured Uzbekistan for two weeks, visiting cultural hubs such as Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, Tashkent, and the Fergana Valley. Professor Stein commended Uzbekistan’s efforts to preserve its rich cultural heritage, noting that the country attracts a diverse range of visitors, including Islamic pilgrims, Buddhist heritage enthusiasts, and cultural heritage tourists. In 2023, Uzbekistan’s tourism industry generated $2.14 billion, contributing 2.35% of the nation’s GDP. The government is implementing measures to further bolster the sector. These include a $50 million credit line for local tourism businesses, tax exemptions for selected operators, specialized hotel management courses, and an online platform designed to assist tourists in planning their trips.

Investment Projects tourism industry international tourism Economy Tourism

Former Son-in-Law of Azerbaijan’s President to Build Tourist Center in Uzbekistan

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has reviewed plans for an international tourism center to be constructed in the Bostanlyk district of the Tashkent region, signaling continued investment in the area’s tourism infrastructure. In recent years, Bostanlyk district has seen significant state-supported development. Resorts such as Amirsay and “Beldersay-Chimgan-Nanay” have been established, bolstered by investments exceeding 2 trillion UZS (approximately $155.57 million). Over the past five years, 59 new tourist facilities offering 13,000 accommodations have opened in the district. Azerbaijani businessman Emin Agalarov has proposed the creation of “Sea Breeze Uzbekistan,” an international tourism center near the Charvak reservoir. The ambitious project is set to involve collaboration with several major foreign companies. The “Sea Breeze Uzbekistan” project envisions a comprehensive facility featuring recreation areas, swimming pools, and sports facilities. Plans include hotels, cottages, and residential spaces, as well as retail outlets, restaurants, and services offered by international brands. The center will also host festivals, concerts, and cultural events, while a bridge connecting the reservoir's two banks will improve accessibility for visitors. Mirziyoyev has endorsed the proposal, emphasizing a phased approach to design and construction that incorporates international expertise. Emin Agalarov, the former son-in-law of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, married Aliyev’s eldest daughter, Leyla Aliyeva, in 2006 before divorcing in 2015. In addition to his business ventures, Agalarov is a singer and the son of Azerbaijani-Russian oligarch Aras Agalarov. The Agalarov family owns Crocus City Hall, a prominent venue in Moscow that hosted the 2013 Miss Universe pageant, once owned by Donald Trump. During Trump’s visit to Moscow that same year, Emin filmed a music video featuring Trump and the pageant contestants.

Tourism Regional Cooperation Trains international tourism tourism industry

Second Train Tour Launched Between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

Kazakhstan’s national railway company, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), has announced the launch of its second train tour, Jibek Joly (Silk Road) 2.0, connecting major cities in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The inaugural journey on this new route will depart from Almaty on January 2, 2025, and return on January 7. The itinerary includes stops at some of the most iconic and culturally rich destinations in the region: Turkestan, Kazakhstan: Passengers will spend a full day exploring this ancient city, including a visit to the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its unique architecture. Tashkent, Uzbekistan: The tour will highlight the historical landmarks of the Uzbek capital, along with modern attractions such as the Magic City theme park. Samarkand, Uzbekistan: Travelers will visit landmarks including the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, Registan Square, and the Ulugbek Madrasah. Shymkent, Kazakhstan: The final stop on the tour is Kazakhstan’s third-largest city, known for its dynamic urban culture. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, this initiative follows the success of the first four-day train tour launched in November, which connected Almaty, Turkestan, and Tashkent. The Jibek Joly 2.0 train route underscores Kazakhstan’s commitment to enhancing regional tourism and strengthening cultural ties between the two nations.