The Region Initiative Conference

REGIONAL TOURISM PARTNERSHIP AMONG SOUTH ASIA, CENTRAL ASIA AND EASTERN EUROPE

November 22, 2011

Le grand Plaza hotel

Bel air meeting room

2, Uzbekiston ovozi str.,  Tashkent, 700047.

Agenda of Conference

The Conference was opened with a special message of Mr. Emil Umetaliev, President of Kyrgyz Concept Company Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic.

While conference was concluded with a special message of Mr. Louis D'Amore, Founder and President of International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT)

Conference Observations:

“Strong tourism networking and direct contact among practitioners of tourism industry is the only way to develop broad based industry in South Asia, Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Governments should provide direct financial support to those who are following path of sustainable tourism instead of harming nature by adopting mass and uncontrolled tourism in fragile environments of Central Asia.
Participants of Conference stressed upon governments to provide financial support small stakeholders for creating balance otherwise its becoming difficult for small stakeholders to get their share from tourism revenue and difficult for those who are trying to following the path of sustainable tourism. Conference also maintained that tourism was one of the most effective tool for peace and tourism should be considered not only a revenue provider but harmony and peace generator therefore be supported by United Nations bodies as Peace Industry. It was decided that all countries will work together to brand and market One common Cultural Tour Package for the revival of historic and traditional route of Great Silk Road.

Proceedings: Item#1:

Special message of Mr. Emil Umetaliev, President of Kyrgyz Concept Company Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic.  He has been honoured with Presidential Award of President of Kyrgyzstan.

In his message, he stressed upon better road networking among all central Asian states and providing better services to visitors (tourists) to stabilize tourism in the region. He was of the view that public private partnership and   stronger role of private sector particularly tour operators should be consider as most effective tool for brining visitors and money. He appreciated holding of TRI Conference and meeting to bridging South Asia, Central Asia and Eastern Europe for better tourism base in the region.

Item#2:

Mr. Ravshan Turakulov, Head of TRI Central Asia and CEO of Silk Road Destinations introduced participants about the agenda and motives of the conference. He invited Honourary President of TRI Mr. Agha Iqrar Haroon for his presentation who was also Chief Guest of the Conference.

Item#3: Mr. A.I.Haroon

Mr. Haroon maintained that the concept of Tourism Networking is not very familiar or popular in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. The value of networking to tourism is now widely recognized and successful networking is not only a great marketing and customer growth tool but also most of time it create successful partnerships. Tourism networking have always better goodwill and wider social and political influence. You are not One--- but you are Many and you are not One Mind you have many minds to think for you when you need support and face any problem. And these all minds are professional minds from your own industry. He was of the view that value addition by adding flavors while offering packages to clients would increase tourism revenue of South Asia, Central Asia and Eastern Europe.

He added successful tourism networking opens the door to industry co-operation aimed at achieving common goals and mutual benefits. For example, through pooling business and market 'intelligence' and fostering greater customer and industry information exchange and learning.

He maintained that pooling business-based resources and funding allows regional tourism attractions, services and destinations to undertake practical and mutually beneficial market research - that would otherwise be too expensive. He explained that marketing activities in areas such as - brochure, advertisement and website creation; Trade Show and Visitor Center promotions; and the joint hosting of local familiarization visits arranged for media or travel writers are possible through TRI platform.

Item#3: Mr. Arlan Kharov

Mr. Arlan Kharov of Kyrygz Nomads gave presentation via Skype from Kyrgyzstan and expressed his full support to TRI members in Central Asia, South Asia and Eastern Europe and maintained that his organization would provide full ground handling and support whenever it would be needed by any member of TRI in his country.

He introduced participants about his company profile, products, services and maintained that TRI initiative can support small stakeholders tremendously. He also said that he would like to play a role as a bridge to promote tourism in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as well as Kazakhstan. Participants asked him questions about his products and also offered him connectivity in their respective countries.

Item#5: Mr. Max Haberstroh

International tourism expert Mr. Max Haberstroh from Black Forest Germany shared his knowledge and presentation via Skype. He explained that renewable energy concept should be DNA of future of tourism because this is the only way to save nature for our generations to come. Max Haberstroh, is International Consultant on Sustainable Tourism. He provides consultancies to Destination Management Organizations in Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Latin America, Africa and Middle East; extensive travels in Southeast Asia; until 2008 he served as the resident advisor on sustainable tourism for Continental Amazonia in Brazil. He is the designated Chairman of Destination Board of the World Tourism Foundation (WTF).  He is also member of International Core Group (ICG) of The Region Initiative (TRI).

Important points of his Presentations are as follow:

The sun has always been the ‘face’ of Tourism, as it is the face of Renewable Energy. With the decline of fossil and nuclear energy, a ‘Solar Age’ is emerging. In times of climate change and environmental degradation, Renewable Energy is an economic and ethical must. Tourism may seize the opportunity to become its effective ‘viral vehicle’ worldwide.

Renewable Energy in many countries has already been an environmental issue for long, widely discussed and used in scattered so-called ‘pockets’. Having always been part of a long list of requirements for sustainability, even before ‘Fukushima’, Renewable Energy has gained momentum, for sure, but has never been treated as elementary to Sustainable Tourism – not even today. Due to the impact of energy on life, however, Renewable Energy is key to sustainability and therefore poised to a close partnership with Sustainable Tourism. And this approach should become a core issue of master plans accordingly, rather than leaving alone Renewable Energy pioneers in their dispersed ‘pockets’.

Item#6: Mr. Hakim Kiebekov

Mr. Hakim Kiebekov of Milal Inter from Tajikistan gave a presentation about Pamir Invest Forum—Past—Present and future. He also shared his knowledge about activities regarding Tourism Development in GBAO area. He invited international investors to his country and stated that Pamir Invest 2011 ---- a forum to attract investors in his region was a great success.

He briefed participants about his organisation and Pamir Invest in detail and said that his organization is very much interested in tourism operation with neighbouring countries and Tajikistan offers special tour packages to TRI Partners with special discounts.

Important points of his Presentations are as follow:

Pamir Invest Forum (PIF) was held in Tajikistan in August 2011 and it offered investiment opportunities. Milal Inter is very much involved in tourism operations and it is targeting ecotourism demands and trying to support local communities through tourism activities.

Tajikistan has great potential for international investors and PIF would be held on regular basis to attract investors in different fields including tourism. PIF is attracting national and international investors on business opportunities in GBAO and supporting implementation of economic development programs for GBAO and effective usage of natural resources and establishing contacts between entrepreneurs and farmers of GBAO, the members of the association and investors.

Milal Inter is involved in different activities and opportunities and looking for investments in fields like development of Ecotourism, Athletics & Extreme sports, Health tourism,  Natural resource processing, Handicraft, Food processing, Agricultural production, Industry, Exports, Precious and semi precious stones, Mining, Logistics and transport.

A large number of international delegation attended PIF in August 2011 and expressed interest for investment in Tajikistan and GBAO. He invited TRI members to attend next PIF and promote this event through TRI networking.

 Item#7: Mr. Palitha Gurusinghe 

On Skype Presentation Mr. Palitha Gurusinghe President of Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation offered his full support for marketing of Central Asia Country Representatives (CRs) of TRI and also offer to print a book having products of all CRs. He invited Central Asia Head of TRI Mr. Ravshan to Sri Lanka to discuss next TRI meeting possibility being held in Sri Lanka next year.

Mr. Palitha has been working as a Tourism Consultant for the, Ministry of Tourism, Sri Lanka Tourist Board, Japanese Bank for International Corporation (JBIC), German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and several other public and private sector organizations. Palitha is the founder President of Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF), the pioneer National Ecotourism Society of Sri Lanka that was established 12 (twelve) years ago. At present he is the Director of the Research and Training Institute, managed by Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation. He is also an external Member of the Faculty of Tourism Studies, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka (SUSL) and a Visiting Lecturer in Ecotourism at the Travel and Tourism Institute of Sri Lanka. He was also the General Secretary of the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism Sri Lanka (ASMET), the pioneer SME Tourism Association in Sri Lanka.

Item#7: Mrs. Aygul Isagulova

Mrs. Aygul Isagulova of Ecotourism Information Resource Centre (EIRC) from Kazakhstan in her presentation informed participants about ecotourism initiative by her company and organisation and indicated also threats faced by ecotourism and sustainable tourism in her country. She shared practical steps her organisation is taking to save nature and provide support to communities in Kazakhstan.

She explained at length marketing strategy of her organization and how ecotourism projects are becoming viable in her country. Her detail and resourceful presentation was highly appreciated by participants.

Item#8: Mr. Ravshan TURAKULOV 

Responsible tourism project in Mitan village by Silk Road Destination

Giving details about Mitan Ecotourism Project, Samarkand, Mr. Ravshan informed participants that the project was started on the demand of visitors (tourists) who wished to see the real life of Uzbek people. Therefore, his company invited them to visit local people in the villages.

Important points of his Presentations are hereunder:

It’s very amazing and funny for tourist and hosting people to have an opportunity to communicate.  As Uzbek people is known by our hospitality and open heart character these services are always successful. But we understand that these kind of improvisational visits are not good for local people, because of negative impact that we talked before.  And we decided to create some tourism service on the base of these meetings. Service which give us instruments to avoid negative impact to local people and their life style.

Mitan is situated in 60 kms from Samarkand in north of Samarkand. There is around 3000 population and mostly they are working in agricultural sector. They produce cotton, silk worm and other agricultural products.  Mitan ecotourism project is supplementary income for local people which come from accommodation and meals, Mitan is new product and service for our agency, Mitan is original and comfortable way to see real life of Uzbeks for tourists. All these profits for participant become real once contact is established between Mitan people, tourists and our agency team. Mitan is the region where apiculture was present but today these activities already lost his importance, but Mitan nature has all possibilities to develop this activity, moreover honey is a good product to sell to tourists, to offer them during the meal provided to tourists in Mitan, also tourists can take some honey to home as gifts to their relatives. So donations of tourists serve to develop apiculture in Mitan. We provide to the families which are involved to apiculture with full information and material for this type of production and we organise trainings for them to explain them the technology of honey production.

In an approach for the balanced and solitary tourism, Silk Road Destinations and the host community are working together for the long term. They give the particular importance to everyone, introducing the best social and environmental values. They share among themselves the fruits of their complementary activity.

Item#9: Mr. Ahmad Mir

Mr. Ahmad Mir from Pakistan during his presentation stated that majority of tourism products of the country are out of troubled areas and he invited participants to invest and visit his country. His presentation mostly concentrating upon investment opportunities in the field of tourism and otherwise in Pakistan.

Important points of his presentations are hereunder:

Northern areas of Pakistan spread over 72,496 sq.Km are as fascinating as its southern region. Amidst towering snow-clad peaks with heights varying from 1000 m to over 8000 meter, the valleys of Gilgit, Hunza and Skardu recall Shangri-La. The cultural patterns in this region are as interesting as its topography.

The people with typical costumes, folk dances, music and sports like polo and buzkashi provide the traveler an unforgettable experience. Nowhere in the world there is such a great concentration of high mountains, peaks, glaciers and passes except Pakistan. Of the 14 over 8000 peaks on earth, 4 occupy an amphitheater at the head of Baltoro glacier in the Karakoram range. These are: K-2 (8611 m, world second highest), Broad Peak (8047m), Gasherbrum I (8068m) and Gasherbrum II (8035m). There is yet another which is equally great, that is, Nanga Parbat (8126m) at the western most end of the Himalayas.

In addition to that, there are 68 peaks over 7000 m and hundreds which are over 6000 m. The Northern Pakistan has some of the longest glaciers outside Polar region; Siachen (72 km), Hispar (61 km.), Biafo (60 km.), Baltoro (60 km.), Batura (64 km.), Yenguta (35 km.), Chiantar (34 km.), Trich (29 km.) and Atrak (28 km.). The lower Himalayan valleys of Swat, Kaghan and Chitral in the Hindukush range equally share the beauty and diverse culture of the Northern Pakistan.

Tourism is a growing industry in Pakistan, based on its diverse cultures, peoples and landscapes. Ancient civilization ruins such as Mohenjo-daro, Harappa and Taxila, to the Himalayan hill stations attract those interested in field and winter sports. Pakistan is home to several mountain peaks over 7000m, which attracts adventurers and mountaineers from around the world, especially K2. The northern parts of Pakistan have many old fortresses, towers and other architecture as well as the Hunza and Chitral valleys, the latter being home to the small pre-Islamic Animist Kalasha community who claim descent from the army of Alexander the Great. Punjab is the site of Alexander's battle on the Jhelum River and the historic city Lahore, Pakistan's cultural capital with many examples of Mughal architecture such as the Badshahi Masjid, Shalimar Gardens, Tomb of Jahangir and the Lahore Fort.

Item#10: Miss Marla Mossman

Miss Marla Mossman from United States gave her presentation about her work and her Peace Caravan Project’s journey along the Silk Road. This projects documents her solo journey from Israel to China by car, foot, horse, mule and camel to photograph the people now living in places of historical and religious significance along the ancient Silk Road. In her quest to explore her heritage and spiritual connection to Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam Marla has taken six expeditions to the ancient trade roads in China, India, Turkey, Afghanistan and the Middle East countries;  Syria, Jordan and Israel. Marla Mossman and her Peace Caravan Project’s mission is to inform and inspire others to achieve understanding, respect and acceptance. By photographing the wonderful religious and cultural heritage of the Silk Road nations, by nourishing international cooperation, the exchange of cultural values and the equality of all people, including Women and children a new appreciation and a new way to peace will reveal itself.

She was guest speaker via Skype. Her video message was played before taking her on Skype and than she had interactive discussion with participants and answered their questions. She was of the view that Central Asia has wonderful opportunities and products to offer and it needs proper promotion all over the world especially in North American market and her Peace Caravan Project’s journey along the Silk Road is playing a positive role to tell world how much peaceful and beautiful people and areas awaiting them to visit in Central Asia.  Marla is an international photographer, artist and poet who has travelled extensively documenting the human condition for over 20 years. Born in Detroit, Michigan, and raised and educated in Canada, she currently resides in New York.

Item#11:

The TRI Tashkent meeting was concluded with a special message from IIPT Founder and President Louis D'Amore.

His special message is hereunder:

"May I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all delegates in this historic conference, bringing together delegates from South Asia, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe through The Region Initiative (TRI).

"Your regions of the world include some of the first human settlements in history and are particularly noteworthy for establishing great trade routes more than 2,000 years ago that pioneered the linking of cultures and peoples through trade and commerce. "Each of your regions and countries are now continuing to share your rich cultures, traditions, heritage, and welcoming spirit with increasing numbers of visitors from areas throughout the world - and through your collaborative efforts, providing us with an excellent global model of 'Peace through Tourism.'

"I would also like to acknowledge the untiring efforts of Agha Iqrar Haroon in developing The Region Initiative, and together with Max Haberstroh, and Mr. Ravshan Head of TRI in Central Asia from Silk Road Destinations their historic achievement in the organization of this important conference. My best wishes to each of you for continued collaboration towards realizing the ideas, goals, and projects that you have discussed here these past few days."