Kyrgyzstan: Tackling Challenges to Become a Sustainable Tourism Destination

Tourism is one of the most important pillars of the Kyrgyz economy. However, many Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) that drive this sector are faced with continuous challenges, including serious impediments to their, work such as energy and water cuts. Over 50 participants joined the first stakeholder meeting of the PERETO project to get started in supporting tourism SMEs as well as tourists in adapting more sustainable practices.

By working with small businesses and their associations, financial institutions, policymakers, local residents and universities, the PERETO project is seeking to create long-lasting environmental, economic and social impacts in Kyrgyzstan.

The first stakeholder meeting, which was held online, was an opportunity to present the project’s objectives and approaches to the local stakeholders and discuss the main upcoming activities. They are clustered into four fields: capacity building, enhancing access to green finance for SMEs—particularly Hotels, Restaurants and Cafes (HoReCa-s), boosting the engagement of tourists and local guests as well as raising public awareness and supporting policies that enable sustainable production and consumption.

During the meeting, the project team received a number of requests for collaboration, showing a positive resonation to local needs and contexts.

Participants of the first stakeholder meeting included representatives from the Kyrgyz government, EU officials, and the local SME sector.

PERETO stands for Promotion of Energy Security and Sustainable Growth Through Increased Energy and Resource Efficiency (ERE) in Supporting Tourism SMEs in Kyrgyzstan. The project partners include the American University of Central Asia (AUCA),  Technopolis Group, UNISON Group, and the CSCP. PERETO is funded by the EU programme Switch-Asia.

For further information, please contact Kartika Anggraeni.

Photo by Oziel Gómez on Unsplash