DUSHANBE, February 1, 2010, Asia-Plus — An official opening of office of the public association, The Zerafshan Tourism Board (ZTB), took place in the Tajik northern city Panjakent on January 29.
ZTB was founded in August 2009 and the outcomes of activities of the organization (August 2009-January 2010) in the framework of the project, Strengthening Tourism Business Intermediary Organizations for Sustainable Economic Development of Tajikistan, were presented during the office-opening ceremony.
The project is implemented by joint efforts of Deutsche Welthungerhilfe/German Agro Action, the Mountain Societies Development Support Programme (MSDP) and the European Centre for Eco and Agro Tourism under financial support of the European Commission (Central Asia Invest program).
This project aims to develop the tourism sector in Tajikistan while protecting and preserving the historical, cultural and natural resources of the mountainous areas of the Western Pamirs and Zerafshan Valley. Tourism associations are being supported in order to be able to better promote their members’ interest, to engage national and international tourism service providers and to enhance cooperation between Tajik and European tourism associations and tour operators.
Since August 2009, ZTB has managed to unite seven tour operators in the city of Panjakent as well as many local tourism associations on the basis of the community, The Association for Development of Zerafshan Tourism, and organize a number of training and marketing events for the.
Besides, a website (
www.zerafshan.info
) has been created. The website contains detailed information about sights of the Zerafshan Valley, history, culture and traditions of the Tajik people, as well as tour operators and opportunities of organization of tourist travels.
