Naveed Ahmed Khan
ISLAMABAD—The Kyrgyz Embassy in Islamabad recently convened a significant meeting with leading tour and travel operators to discuss the burgeoning tourism industry in the Kyrgyz Republic. His Excellency Avazbek Atakhanov, the newly appointed Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan to Pakistan, emphasized the vast opportunities for tourism in his country.
Ambassador Atakhanov, a seasoned diplomat who previously served as Deputy Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan, highlighted the critical role of tourism in bolstering the national economy and fostering friendly relations between nations. He said the Kyrgyz government has implemented a comprehensive program aimed at enhancing the tourism sector, aligning it with contemporary global trends. “The tourism industry is not only vital for economic development but also serves as a bridge for strengthening ties between peoples,” stated Ambassador Atakhanov. He elaborated on how Kyrgyzstan’s diverse ecosystems and stunning landscapes make it an attractive destination for various types of tourism, including adventure, cultural, and eco-tourism.
Kyrgyzstan spans approximately 200,000 square kilometers with a population of 7.3 million. The capital city is Bishkek, where Islam is the predominant religion. The ambassador described Kyrgyzstan as “the Asian Switzerland,” renowned for its mountainous terrain that comprises over 80% of its territory, with notable peaks such as Pobeda Peak and Lenin Peak.
The ambassador also detailed the country’s rich cultural heritage, which includes 583 historical and archaeological sites along the Great Silk Road. Some of these sites are recognized by UNESCO for their global significance. He pointed out that Kyrgyzstan is home to unique cultural practices, such as the epic “Manas” and traditional felt-making techniques, which are also included in UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list.
In 2023, approximately 8.5 million foreign tourists visited Kyrgyzstan, benefiting from a variety of services ranging from health resorts to guided tours. Ambassador Atakhanov said that the tourism sector has seen exponential growth in recent years, with significant increases in various service markets. He outlined several key types of tourism currently thriving in Kyrgyzstan which include health and wellness offering herbal medicine and mud therapy, adventure tourism like mountain trekking, horseback riding, and rafting, cultural tourism with main focus on local customs and traditions, winter tourism which adds skiing and snowboarding activities, business tourism to host international conferences and forums and in the last but not least event tourism to celebrate traditional games and festivals.
Ambassador Atakhanov concluded by inviting tour operators to experience Kyrgyz culture firsthand by visiting traditional yurts set up on the embassy lawn. Yurts symbolize more than just shelter; they represent the essence of Kyrgyz culture encompassing family values and communal life.
This meeting underscores Kyrgyzstan’s commitment to becoming a prominent player in international tourism, leveraging its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage to attract global visitors.