DUSHANBE, June 16, Asia-Plus — At the monthly meeting of The Principals’ Group* in June foreign Ambassadors and heads of international organizations considered the prospects and the challenges of developing the tourism sector in Tajikistan.
Three of the organizations who are most involved in supporting the development of local tourism, namely the Open Society Institute/Assistance Foundation (OSI/AF), Aga Khan Foundation’s MSDSP (Mountain Societies Development Support Program) and German Agro Action gave the presentation.
Press release issued by the Principals’ Group in Tajikistan on June 13, in particular, said the Principals heard that although Tajikistan was currently ranked near the bottom of an international tourism index (110th position out of 124), there had been a 60% growth in receipts from tourism last year.
Moreover, the increasing attention being given to developing this sector had already resulted in the publication of two guide-books to Tajikistan this year, the OSI’s “Welcome to Tajikistan” which is now available free of charge and an Odyssey guide to Tajikistan and the High Pamirs which is being published in Europe this year.
Everyone at the meeting was in no doubt of the potential for tourism that exists in Tajikistan – the natural beauty of the landscapes, the unique mountain ranges, the fascinating culture, the historical relics and the warm hospitality of the Tajik people. But there was also a general agreement that tourism was unlikely to make a significant contribution to the development of the Tajik economy without some key steps forward. Amongst the necessary measures identified at the meeting were: a better range of flight connections to Tajikistan with more welcoming facilities at Dushanbe Airport (The Principals had already written two letters on this to the Foreign Minister and President Rahmon but had not received any reply); abolition of the requirement for a special pass for GBAO and the Pamirs, when this region constitutes the single most attractive area of Tajikistan for tourists; the need for a wider range of suitable accommodation for visitors – not just large and luxurious hotels, but smaller guest house, comfortable family homestays etc; a greater understanding on the part of the Tajik authorities of their role in providing improved infrastructure – water, roads, power etc – before we can expect tourists to come in any significant numbers; and development of ‘community based tourism’ along the lines already developed in countries like neighboring Kyrgyzstan.
Those attending the meeting who are associated with this press release are the heads of mission of Germany, India, Iran, Japan, Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the USA, EBRD, OSCE, UN, and World Bank.
The Principals’ Group in Tajikistan is a coordination body of Ambassadors and representatives of donors and International Financial Institutions who participate in regular coordination meetings with a rotating chairperson on topics of national interest. The current Chairman of The Principals’ Group is Graeme Loten, British Ambassador.
