LocationsAccelerating Toktogul’s development through promotion of tourism and creative industries
August 19, 2024
Bishkek, 19 August 2024 - Last week, a public hearing was held on the Toktogul Destination Development Strategy, developed with expert support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The strategy was approved by the authorities and its joint implementation is enshrined in the signed Memorandum of Cooperation between the Destination and the Administration of Toktogul District to strengthen cooperation in socio-economic development of the territory based on tourism and creative industries.
The event was chaired by Akim of Toktogul district of Jalal-Abad region Akylbek Tyukebaev, with the participation of heads of aiyl aimaks, representatives of republican authorities and administration of Toktogul district. Local entrepreneurs from tourism and creative industries, owners of guest houses, representatives of tourist communities and local activists took an active part.
Joining the efforts of stakeholders was made possible by UNDP support in providing expert assistance in assessing the potential for development of the territory based on tourism and creative industries, as well as launching a dialog platform for entrepreneurs, activists and local authorities.
The head of the Toktogul Destination became Nargiza Azhimatova, a participant of the UNDP Women's Creative Lab initiative, who, thanks to the skills and knowledge acquired in the Lab, was able to coordinate actions and pool resources for the development of creative and tourism clusters.
Nargiza Azhimatova, the head of the Toktogul Destination
According to Akylbek Tyukebayev, Akim of Toktogul district, tourism plays an important role in women's economic empowerment and also contributes to infrastructure development, resulting in an impact on other sectors of the economy. “Tourism also has untapped potential to contribute to environmental protection. Therefore, our goal is to promote Toktogul district as a new tourist zone with a wide range of tourism resources,” said Akylbek Tyukebayev.
The territory development strategy “Toktogul - the meeting point of north and south” will make the region a place of interaction and exploration of the diversity of Kyrgyzstan and a universal event platform for dozens of events all year round - from fairs and festivals to conferences and team-building events. Unique natural resources and the presence of the Toktogul reservoir can become the basis for the development of a regional tourist hub and attract additional investment to the region, which will favorably affect the infrastructural development of the territory, employment of the local population and strengthening of entrepreneurship. The proposed Strategy is based on an ecosystem approach that integrates UNDP's previous work, the comparative advantages of the territory and aims at sustainable change.
Akylbek Tyukebayev, Akim of Toktogul district
“The development of tourism and creative industries in the region. will open new opportunities for the local population and entrepreneurs, cultural exchange and economic growth. In addition, the developed strategy will help local authorities to accelerate the implementation of the Action Plan for the development of creative clusters in the country's cities, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers for 2024-2026," said Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative in Kyrgyzstan.
During the event working groups of the Destination were established on the main areas of future work - elaboration of land use issues and creation of online resource, development of communication strategy and branding of the territory, design of future events, implementation of the proposed project portfolio and work on resource mobilization. Thus, with the support of local authorities, a platform for cooperation and coordination of actions for the Strategy implementation was created.
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