Bishkek, Dec. 16, 2019. / Kabar /. Director of the Department of Tourism of Kyrgyzstan Maksat Damir uulu told reporters about plans for the development of tourism in the country.
At a press conference at Kabar News Agency, he said that goals had been set to attract investments and improve infrastructure.
“We have developed an action plan on how we will develop a winter type of tourism. We have 22 ski resorts, but only 16 of them work. And therefore we set specific goals for attracting investment and improving infrastructure. Before the onset of winter, the Department of Tourism promoted several projects. For example, they invited representatives of ski resorts from Georgia, who visited Bishkek, all ski resorts around the capital and Osh,” he said.
Maksat Damir uulu said that during the visit of President Sooronbay Jeenbekov to Switzerland, two documents were signed in the direction of tourism.
“The first is for the development of winter tourism, where we received grant funds from Switzerland in the amount of about USD 2 million. We have identified the main areas, developed measures by which we are moving together with Helvetas today. Second, we plan to take managers and owners of ski resorts to Switzerland with Sweets Tourism to familiarize themselves with best practices on how to manage and improve infrastructure and services,” he added.
The head of the tourism department noted that trainings for instructors and guides have already been held to improve the quality of their services.
Maksat Damir uulu also noted that the winter type of tourism in Kyrgyzstan has great potential.
“The main territory of the Kyrgyz Republic is mountains, there are many slopes that need to be developed and snow can be from November to March. Some ski resorts use new technologies, equipment, for example, guns, to increase the season of winter tourism. Within 3 to 5 years, Kyrgyzstan will become the main destination of winter tourism in Central Asia,” he added.
In addition, he noted that the main markets for which winter tourism in Kyrgyzstan is oriented are Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.