International Tourism Fair (Issyk-Kul ITF) 'I AM NOMAD' was held in Kyrgyzstan

On May 15, 2021, the International Tourism Fair (Issyk-Kul ITF) 'I AM NOMAD' was held on the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul with the financial support of the Helvetas Association and other international donors.

More than 100 local and foreign companies, associations and international projects presented their activities and products at the Cultural Center Ruh Ordo in Cholpon-Ata. The Helvetas Association was represented at the exhibition by the Swiss projects Bai Alai and Sustainable Winter Tourism, as well as the Greentour: Sustainable Tourism in Kyrgyzstan project, funded by the EU's SwitchAsia program. In addition, Helvetas' regular partners "Business Women of Alai Association" as well as public associations "Destination Karakol" and "Destination Osh" took an active part in the event.

It is also worth noting our partners the Kyrgyz Association of Tour Operators (KATO) and the Kyrgyz Community-Based Tourism Association (KCBTA), which, along with the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic represented by the authorized representative office of the KR Government in Issyk-Kul region and the Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the KR, as well as the Association of Resorts of Kyrgyzstan (AKK) were the organizers of the exhibition (Issyk-Kul ITF) 'I AM NOMAD'.

Despite the rainy weather the event was attended by over 2,000 people, which is undoubtedly a success. Each guest of the exhibition had the opportunity not only to participate in the exhibition, but also to enjoy the concert program and attend the Tourism Forum "Kyrgyzstan - Land of Tourism" and the award ceremony for the best participants and partners in the tourism market of Kyrgyzstan.

The event was opened by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Japarov Sadyr Nurguzhoevich, who noted that the active development of tourism as a real sector of the economy requires regular activities aimed at promoting Kyrgyzstan's tourism products in the international tourism market.

"I am sure that the tourism fair will become a good platform for close cooperation of tourism business of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia and other countries. One of the priorities of the country's development should be the tourism industry. Our domestic tourism industry needs to create conditions that meet international service standards and improve the image of Kyrgyzstan on the world stage. At the same time, we should be careful with the nature of our country and remember the authenticity of our historical and cultural values.

The main goal of the state is to create favorable conditions for businesses and organizations of the tourism industry. The goal is to create a modern legislative framework that will ensure the development of activities in this area to make our country, rich in natural beauty, attractive to tourists", - said Sadyr Japarov.

The main purpose of the exhibition, which is held annually since 2016, is to establish business ties between tourist organizations, promotion and propaganda of local attractions, tourist products, to familiarize citizens with the services of ethno-eco tourism. This year the main theme of the exhibition was the promotion and development of ecological and ethnographic tourism.