The KYRGYZ TOURISM AWARDS ceremony took place at the Jannat hotel. For the first time in history, the state awarded the tourism business.
The evaluation committee selected the best: tourism complex, guest house, tour operator, internet project for promoting tourism, idea for tourism development and promotion. There were also nominations for specific types of tourism and event tourism (the award was predictably taken by the World Nomad Games). The most suitable cities and regions for tourism were named, as well as the media that best covered tourism issues, partner sponsors, donors, diplomatic representations, educational institutions, and even experts.
There were a total of 15 nominations. According to the Department of Tourism, the evaluation committee consisted of journalists, representatives of NGOs, and the tourism business.
The organizers also held an exhibition-fair of ethnic souvenirs. Traditionally, felt products, especially national kalpaks, were in high demand. Some guests, having purchased designer headwear, wore them until the end of the ceremony.
The award ceremony was opened by Deputy Prime Minister Damira Niyazalieva. On behalf of the state, she promised to create conditions for entrepreneurs so that the tourism business could develop more actively, and Kyrgyzstan would become more attractive than its neighbors in the eyes of potential guests.
Deputy Alla Izmalkova also spoke. She called for allocating more money from the budget to the department.
"Previously, the department's leadership was sluggish; we constantly proposed something, but there was no reaction (the previous director was Daniyar Kazakov. - vb.kg). But now people have come to the department, and I have high hopes for them. And this award indicates that my hopes are being justified. Let's add more money to our tourism department," the deputy urged the government.
It should be noted that the award ceremony cost 200,000 soms. The sponsors were the department itself and the Tourism Development Fund in the Republic of Korea. The president of the representation, Choi Sen Ron, noted that unorganized tourism in Kyrgyzstan is becoming an organized activity, which is developing various directions.
"The economic effect from promoting tourism is very significant. For Kyrgyzstan, this will serve as a basis for the country's economic development. After all, it is located on the Great Silk Road, which is a corridor between the East and the West," he stated.
"He also noted that during his first visit to Kyrgyzstan in July last year, he saw that the main economic directions for Kyrgyzstan are tourism, agriculture, and trade.
"Of course, achieving tourism policy will require not only business interaction but also support from administrative bodies in tourism in terms of strategy development and advertising," advised Choi Sen Ron.
The head of the Department of Tourism at the Ministry of Culture, Maksat Chakiev, is confident that such recognition from the state gives the business an incentive to be more active.
"The members of the evaluation committee were not representatives of the state, but of the tourism industry, NGOs, and journalism. So the choice was objective, and I see that the participants are satisfied," Chakiev said.
The director of the department reported that the KYRGYZ TOURISM AWARDS will become an annual event. "In February-March, we will announce the next competition. Perhaps there will be other nominations. Because there are many types of tourism," he said.
In addition to competitions, the department is preparing promotional campaigns for tourists.
"This year is dedicated to the tourism of Kyrgyzstan in Turkey. We are preparing to open ethnographic complexes 'Kyrgyz Aiyly' in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Bursa. This is an analogue of our nomad games in a mini-format. We will set up to 20 yurts. Ethnographic concerts, tastings of national drinks, crafts exhibitions, and, of course, theatrical performances based on the works of Chingiz Aitmatov will take place as part of the events. Kyrgyzstan's tour operators will be able to sign contracts there. We hope this will promote tourism in Kyrgyzstan among the citizens of Turkey," said the official.
Source: vb.kg
