Representatives of tour operators and travel agencies from Russia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Switzerland visited Kyrgyzstan

An introductory tour (info-tour) to Alai and Chon-Alai regions was organized by the Bai Alai Program from 17-22 July, 2019. Representatives of tour operators and travel agencies from Russia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Switzerland visited such places as the Chiyyrchyk pass, the pastures of Sary-Oi, Ak-Bosogo, Cholok-Kaiyna, Shagdar, the museum dedicated to Kurmanjan Datka, the lake Kolduk and Tulpar-Kol.

The main event of the info was the Mountain Travel Festival, which took place at the foot of Lenin Peak. Participants of the info tour were able to fully participate in the festival not only as spectators, but also as participants.

Also during the trip, participants were able to see with their own eyes petroglyphs on Shagdar pasture, dating back to the 7-8th centuries BC. These petroglyphs were discovered this spring by employees of the Bai-Alai Program and at the moment the find is being checked and registered.

The main purpose of the event was to promote the region as a tourist destination, familiarize foreign tour operators with local attractions and develop tourism in the region as a whole.

Following the results of the info tour, it is expected that foreign tour operators and agencies will more actively promote the Pamir-Alai region as a tourist destination.

Bai Alai Program is funded by the Government of Switzerland through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by Helvetas Kyrgyzstan in consortium with the Aga Khan Foundation in the Kyrgyz Republic.