Postcard from Bishkek

Adventure tourism is big business these days … it’s evolved from a small niche market into one of the largest sectors of the industry with its specialist magazines, exhibitions and companies.

It has seen rapid growth over the years and seems to be overtaking other forms of tourism in terms of the number of clients and the value of the business. It can, however, be a difficult to know exactly what is meant by the term “adventure tourism”.

For example, a recent feature in a British broadsheet newspaper gave a list of adventure holiday opportunities in Britain this year.  The criterion for inclusion was that suggestions should be a “trips and treks to suit anyone with an adventurous spirit“,  and it included such suggestions as: a hiking trip and also a Photo Safari in the Scottish highlands; Cycling trips in the Peak District and in Northern Ireland;  Surfing and Caving in North Wales; Running in Cumbria and other hiking options … including one along the Shakespeare way – or as the heading put it: Hiking through History – from Stratford to London.

Now , I am not saying that this isn’t an example of adventure tourism … just that the definition of the term is different from that which many people would recognize: “trips and treks to suit anyone with an adventurous spirit“. The word adventure is usually understood as describing an unusual and exciting experience, a bold (and possibly risky – ether perceived or actual) undertaking with an uncertain outcome … and the term Adventure Tourism is usually used to describe travel which includes some physical activity, (such as mountaineering, trekking, horse riding, white water rafting, cycling, … and so on), … often activity which requires specialist skills, experience and possibly equipment.

It’s not just, however, a question of physical activity, … it might well mean some potential element of danger, (either perceived or actual), which arouses a sense of excitement, exhilaration … or even fear … I suppose that’s what helps to make it an adventure.     

Apparently the Adventure Travel Trade Association, (ATTA – a global “community”, based in the US, with 900 or so members), defines Adventure Travel involves two out three elements … cultural exchange, physical undertaking and interaction with nature …  and I suppose they ought to know … as it’s their business … literally.

As an aside: although that was quoted in several articles about the Association, it took quite a bit of searching on their website to verify that this is in fact what they say, (maybe I was just tired or was being particularly inefficient).

 

 

I think it’s important, because, as it happens, Adventure Tourism is one of the themes that Kyrgyzstan has identified as a niche that it feels it could, and should, develop and, indeed, we do have lots potential for adventure tourism – trips and treks for anyone with an adventurous spirit.

Cultural exchange is no problem … especially with the homestays and yurt inns operated by members of KCBTA – the Kyrgyz Community Based Tourism Association … the Kyrgyz offer a traditional nomadic hospitality and these offer an excellent opportunity of mixing with the ordinary people but also of experiencing aspects of a centuries old traditional lifestyle.

There is plenty of opportunity for physical activity.  A short while ago, one of my colleagues was asked to give a talk about the tourism possibilities that Kyrgyzstan has to offer … and he asked me if I could prepare a set of maps … showing places where certain activities could be undertaken.  Although it sounds easy, actually, it proved to be quite a difficult task.  Whilst, with some activities like caving and white water rafting it was indeed relatively easy … after all, it depends on the availability of caves or “white water” rivers.  On the other hand, when it came to other activities, like trekking, the problem was that it was a case of “more or less anywhere and everywhere“.

Unfortunately, let’s be honest, there are is also potential risks – such as the possibility of falling off a horse, or slipping on a scree slope and breaking a leg while in the mountains … but with proper preparation, skill and experience these risks can be minimized.

In terms with interacting with nature – most of the country (94%) is mountainous and rugged – and there are plenty of  open spaces where it is possible to feel totally alone and at one with nature – often within easy reach of a road or community.  Indeed, much of Kyrgyz tradition is closely intertwined with nature … as nomads, each family unit would be self sufficient, making virtually everything that the needed … the patterns on their carpets: plants and animals.  Central Asia is the home of many of the plants that have found their way around the world – apples, rhubarb and tulips to mention just a few.  Although a particular specific sighting cannot be guaranteed, the wildlife is diverse.

.

In their survey of Adventure Tourism,  the ATTA list a wide variety of activities base on the activities of their members: Archaeological expeditions; Attending local festivals and fairs; Birdwatching; Camping; Canoeing; Caving; Climbing (mountain/rock/ice); Cruises; Cultural activities; Cycling; Ecotourism; Educational programmes; Environmentally sustainable activities; Fishing; “Getting to know the locals”; Heli-skiing; Hiking; Horseback riding; Hunting; Kayaking/sea and whitewater rafting; Kite surfing; Learning a new language; Motorized sports; Orienteering; Paragliding;l Rafting; Research expeditions; Safaris; Sandboarding; Sailing; Scuba diving; Snorkeling; Skiing/Snowboarding; Stand-up paddle boarding; Surfing; Trekking; Walking Tours; Visiting friends and family; Visiting Historical sites; Volunteer tourism.

Some of the items on the list may seem to be a little out of place … but then, so did Hiking the Shakespeare Way, and the activities are further grouped into subcategories: hard adventure, soft adventure and “non-adventure“.

.

The interesting thing is that most of these are available in Kyrgyzstan … I don’t think any any company offers them all – and that’s probably right because some are dangerous and require specialist knowledge, skills, experience and equipment, (… we, for example, do not undertake Hunting or mountaineering expeditions – and we may subcontract some of the other activities, such as rafting or caving, to specialists … or we can recommend them to enquirers).

Everything is here … all that’s needed are people those “with an adventurous spirit”

 

 

 

 

Tags: Tourism