Tourism — a Priority Sector in the National Strategy for Sustainable Development of Kyrgyzstan

The tourism sector is one of the largest and fastest-growing in the world and provides the most jobs (UNWTO 2012). In many developing countries, the tourism sector is among the leaders in generated revenue (UNWTO 2012). The tourism sector is traditionally included in the agenda when developing development strategies in many countries, including developing countries, newly independent countries, post-conflict countries, and even countries with active conflicts (Owen-Edmunds 2011). It is not difficult to find work in this field in any country, as employers post hundreds of job vacancies in the tourism sector daily on the website http://rabota.ua/.

Mountain regions often have hidden tourism potential due to the presence of natural and cultural resources. For mountain communities, which are often located far from markets, tourism is one of the few sources of livelihood that is not related to mountain-pastoral livestock farming.

Kyrgyzstan is primarily a mountainous country where natural and cultural resources, despite the fragile socio-economic and political situation and periods of instability, remain relatively untouched. The government bodies of these countries are increasingly focusing on tourism. Tourism has been designated as a priority sector in the National Strategy for Sustainable Development of Kyrgyzstan (2013) and has been included among the priority sectors in the ten-year action plan to support small and medium-sized enterprises. In 2012, Kyrgyzstan introduced a visa-free regime for tourists from more than 40 countries.

It is very important for the purposes of improving planning and management of tourism development in Kyrgyzstan to develop the potential for forming an adequate understanding of the main issues of tourism and sustainable development. In addition, research work on tourism issues should be organized in such a way that the produced scientific and analytical products are accessible, useful, and applicable in their work by policymakers and practitioners in the field of tourism and sustainable development.

Authors
Kobiljon Shakirov. Researcher, Institute of Mountain Community Studies, University of Central Asia

Aysulu Abdykadyrova. Researcher, Institute of Mountain Community Studies, University of Central Asia

Chad Dyer. Senior Researcher, Institute of Mountain Community Studies, University of Central Asia

Sia Novrodzhi. Chief Technical Editor, University of Central Asia