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Who We are?
The Region Initiative (TRI) is a Tri-regional Umbrella of Tourism related organisations. TRI is functioning as a link among three regions----South Asia, Central Asia and Eastern Europe. It offers blended tours packages, consultancy, networking of tourism organisations, tourism research opportunities, marketing of small tourism stakeholders, promotion of need of usage of renewable energies, advocate sustainable tourism and ecotourism. We are proud Associate Member of International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP).
What We Believe?
TRI believes that tourism is one of the most effective tools for Peace that can be achieved through tourism and tourism should be considered not only a revenue provider but harmony and peace generator, and, therefore, be supported by United Nations bodies as a peace industry.
TRI believes that the agendas of governments are sometime contrary to needs and demands of tourism industry. In South Asia, governments of Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Afghanistan have different political and diplomatic conflicts and this is the lead reason that South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has failed to establish interaction and strong networking in the field of tourism. There are also certain conflicts among Central Asian republics and also in Eastern Europe countries. Therefore chances of a solid networking and connection among tourism ministries of these countries is more myth than reality.
TRI believes that UNWTO Silk Road Plan can only achieve when more non government actors and stakeholders of Silk Road countries come forward and establish strong networking and connect products and markets of all these countries as One Entity and One Product. This One Product is Called Collective Silk Road Product (CSRP) by TRI.
TRI believes that South Asia, Central Asia and Eastern Europe are facing similar threats, challenges and having similar opportunities in the field of tourism operations, planning and practices. Connecting ancient Silk Route or Silk Road destinations as One Tourism Entity is one of the ultimate goals of TRI. Therefore it supports UNWTO Silk Road Plan/Programme.
TRI strongly believes that a solid, operative and broad based tourism market of Silk Road destinations is not possible through just linkage of intergovernmental and states organisations. Therefore it takes the lead by connecting non-private stakeholders including tour operators, Non Government organisations (NGOs), tourism experts, academia and the youth. TRI also believes that strong tourism networking and direct contact among practitioners of the tourism industry is the only way to develop broad-based industry in South Asia, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe.
What We Stress?
TRI stresses that governments should provide direct financial support to those who are following a path of sustainable tourism instead of harming nature by adopting mass and uncontrolled tourism in fragile environments of Central Asia, South Asia and Eastern Europe.
TRI demands that governments should provide financial support of small stakeholders for creating balance, otherwise it would become difficult for small stakeholders to get their share of tourism revenue and difficult for those who are trying to following the path of sustainable tourism.
Tashkent Declaration of TRI is an Operative Document to understand Conceptual Demands of TRI and can be read to click this link.
Who can join TRI as a Member?
Inter-governmental, Semi-governmental, Non-overnmental Organisations, Educational Institutions having tourism industry as part of their Term of Reference (ToR) and any firm or company, which is regularly engaged or associated with Tourism and travel industry such as carrier companies, hoteliers, restaurants, excursion agents, transport contractors, forwarding and clearing agents, shipping companies, state tourist corporations / organizations, hotel marketing representatives/ agencies, trade publications and any overseas firm / company /corporation / organization is eligible for membership of TRI.
Registration Form of TRI can be downloaded to click this link.
Background of TRI
In May 2010, regional intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, tour operators and other tourism industry stakeholders of South Asia, Central Asia and Eastern Europe were invited to institute a stronger and closer relationship. Tourism oriented organisations from Armenia, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, India, Iran, Pakistan, Nepal, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Russia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan joined hands and established a strong base for cost effective tours, sharing information and knowledge and get benefits from the strength of its members under the umbrella of The Region Initiative (TRI). The idea behind this networking and collaboration is promotion of small stakeholders of tourism industry including accommodation providers, tour operators, tourist guides and communities providing community based tourism.
Why South Asia, Central Asia and Eastern Europe can work as One Tourism Entity?
Fauna, flora and cultures do not understand political boundaries. Geographically South Asia, Central Asia and Eastern Europe are linked. History and culture join this region through Silk Road. This Silk Road is most important in the human history transcontinental trade route that linked Europe and Asia, in the bygone days. Evidently the trade between the East and the West was conducted from the time immemorial, but several separate land tracks of what later became known as the Great Silk Road were used. Magical Silk Road was not a mere channel of trade: it was the means of propagation the cultural achievements of the peoples, spiritual wealth and religious doctrines. Ancient Zoroastrian cults prevalent in Khorezm, Sogdiana and Bactria, were replaced by Buddhism which became the main religion of the mighty Kushan empire and expanded to China. From Asia Minor, Christianity reached Central Asia and China via the Silk Road. In the 8th century the Arabs brought Islam to the eastern lands.
From Samarkand - the city situated in the very heart of the Great Silk Road - Tamerlane, the great commander of the Middle Ages, started his military campaigns. Taimur followed the routes of Genghis Khan for the expansion of his empire and his constant encounters with South Asia and Eastern Europe created a uniformed culture. If you walk through the streets of old Delhi, Isfahan, Crimea, Baku or old city of Lahore; you just feel you are walking in the streets of Bokhara. Your will find same architectural designs, same wooden doors having similar carving designs in all these old cities as these cities have same cultural texture. Therefore TRI shall work to promote Silk Road as the most magical travel route by connecting countries of ancient Silk Road. TRI supports Bokhara Declaration on Silk Road Tourism 2002 and endorses Silk Road Action Plan
Travel Talk Radio and TRI go together
Listen a Special interview of Honorary Head of TRI at world largest Travel Radio---Travel Talk Radio. Renowned Presenter and Interviewer Sandy Dhuyyetter talks with TRI and appreciates how this international tourism networking is promoting peace and tourism at Silk road destinations. Why Afghanistan was not included in this networking? and how US travellers can boost image of United States in these regions?, are some of sensitive and important issues discussed in this 23 minutes interview. Click here to listen interview To visit special archive page of this programme with snapshot and introduction, click this link.
Tourism should be accepted as Peace tool instead of as only an economic activity--says Tashkent Declaration
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Sustainable tourism be promoted through public -private partnership--concludes
Tashkent Conference
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TRI Partners Tashkent meeting results Restructuring of TRI
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State supports important for sustainable Tourism
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan - "Strong tourism networking and direct contact among practitioners of the tourism industry is the only way to develop broad-based industry in South Asia, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe," said Louis D'Amore.
"Governments should provide direct financial support to those who are following a path of sustainable tourism instead of harming nature by adopting mass and uncontrolled tourism in fragile environments of Central Asia."
This was observed in a tourism conference held by The Region Initiative (TRI) on November 22 at Tashkent Uzbekistan. The conference was followed by a TRI member meeting on November 23 and a visit of delegates to a remote community-based tourism project near Samarkand.
TRI partners from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan took part in the conference. The declaration of the TRI Tashkent meeting stressed upon governments to provide financial support of small stakeholders for creating balance, otherwise it would become difficult for small stakeholders to get their share of tourism revenue and difficult for those who are trying to following the path of sustainable tourism. The declaration also maintained that tourism was one of the most effective tools for peace through tourism and should be considered not only a revenue provider but harmony and peace generator, and, therefore, be supported by United Nations bodies as a peace industry. It was decided that all countries will work together to brand and market one common cultural tour package for the revival of the historic and traditional route of Great Silk Road. An exchange of knowledge and expertise for the development of ecotourism in Central Asia was also signed during the TRI Partners meeting.
TRI supports Malaysia International Tourism Exchange (MITE 2012)
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