Postcard from Bishkek

I was intrigued to see a report from Kazakhstan that they are going to run an experiment from May to the end of September whereby citizens of some 48 “economically stable” countries will be able to enter Kazakhstan without needing a visa.

According to a spokesman, the idea is to show their “foreign partners … our goodwill and desire to see them in Kazakhstan”.

The article made clear that it is only an experiment, and will be closely monitored, so it is possible that they will reimpose the visa requirement afterwards.

Apart from that, I am not sure how it is going to work.  According to the report it affects only tourists, so presumably anyone arriving for business, to visit relatives, study or for some other purpose, will still need a visa.

Not all the details were in the article, for example: which forty eight countries are going to be included in the list – apparently a final decision has not yet been made on this question.  There’s still time to announce this but many tourists intending to visit the country this summer may well have already got their visas, or at least started the process.

Apparently there are also discussions taking place on the question about how visitors are going to be registered with the authorities, (with OVIR).

 

I have no more to go on than that one article, which may or may not be accurate, but it struck me as odd that we have been discussing this issue here in Kyrgyzstan for years – all the time that I have been involved in tourism, (that is, since 1997), and have faced opposition all the way.  Where we have tried presenting logical arguments, we have faced with a blunderbuss opposition; throw up lots of objections in the hope that some of them will hit the target.

At the moment a new government initiative is before the parliament and all the major parties have agreed to it in principle, (although there are some differences over some of the details).

It seems odd to me that as soon as we look as if we are going to introduce such a scheme, albeit with the appearance of as certain amount of reluctance, our neighbours have managed to steal a march and announce a similar measure, even if it is only an experiment and final decisions have yet to be taken.

 

Of course, relaxation of the visa regime is only one step, (albeit an important one – and probably a small one), in the development of tourism in Kyrgyzstan, and there is a lot of other issues which also require attention.

Amogst those are that of safety and security, the level of infrastructure available, and then there is the question of levels of service and pricing, (getting the price right – enough to pay the costs involved and make a profit without charging so much as to price ourselves out of the market when compared to other countries with whom we compete).

 

The biggest issue, however, (or so it seems to me), is getting the message out to the rest of the world that there is in Central Asia a small and friendly country where:

• there is practically something for everyone;
• there are magnificent landscapes of different types with
• • over 90% of the country being mountainous with three peaks over 7000 meters and many unconquered and even unnamed peaks;
  • thousands of mountain lakes from small ones like the colourful Ala Kul to the world’s second largest mountain lake, Issyk Kul;
• there is a wide variety of of wildlife;
• it is possible to experience four seasons in one day;
• there is a variety of history and it is possible to:
• • travel from the twenty first century back to medieval times, or beyond, in a matter of hours;
  • experience the authentic Silk Road;
  • encounter a centuries old nomadic culture of the Kyrgyz that has been preserved into the twenty first century;
  • encounter architecture from the eighth century to Russian colonial and Soviet to contemporary modern;
• there is a multicultural society which has evolved over the centuries and offers a kaleidoscope of cuisines, costumes and cultural experiences;
• there are plenty of opportunities for adventure from simple hill walking or trekking to mountaineering, from horse riding to cycling, white water rafting to skiing – as well as simply taking it easy and relaxing in a traditional resort;
• there is a wide variety of accommodation options from five star hotels to Bed and Breakfast in a homestay in a remote rural village, to a nomadic yurt high in the mountains;
• it is possible to run out of superlatives to describe the landscape, natural environment, experiences and hospitality;
• it is a photographers’ paradise whether they are interested in landscapes, (natural or urban), nature or people;
• we are doing our best to bring quality service and value for money;

that is: Kyrgyzstan!

• Kyrgyzstan - The land of the Tien Shan
• Kyrgyzstan - An Oasis on the Silk Road
• Kyrgyzstan - Somewhere New, Somewhere Different
• Kyrgyzstan - The Land of Tourism
• Kyrgyzstan - The Home of Santa Clause
• Kyrgyzstan - The Living Fairytale
• Kyrgyzstan - The Heart of Central Asia
• Kyrgyzstan – Where there’s something for everyone
• Kyrgyzstan - Where the main tourist sights were made by God
• Kyrgyzstan - The Authentic Silk Road
• Kyrgyzstan - Laid Back and Irresistible
• Kyrgyzstan - Beautiful and woefully underrated
• Kyrgyzstan – Where the skies are Blue
• Kyrgyzstan – Where it is possible to run out of superlatives
• Kyrgyzstan - Adjective-defeatingly incredible
• Kyrgyzstan – The Best Yet!
• Hospitable Kyrgyzstan

 

Tags: Marketing, Tourism, Visas