Sadyrbek Kozhokulov - Tourism in the Kyrgyz Republic: Social and Economic Development of the Issyk-Kul Region

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At the present time, the tourism industry functions as one of the most dynamically developing sectors of the world economy and is also an important factor in the socio-economic development of countries and regions. Tourism is considered one of the options for economic growth in many developing countries, and it has become an important source of income, as well as a source of employment, not only in developing countries but also in developed countries.

Until 1991, the tourism industry in Kyrgyzstan was managed by trade unions. The main policy of the state was aimed at the development of domestic tourism, and it mainly developed in a direction aimed at providing inexpensive recreation for workers. Consequently, the tourism industry was not integrated into the global tourism system, and many different problems arose following the collapse of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). In the twenty-first century, the most promising direction of economic development of Kyrgyzstan is, and will continue to be, tourism.

After Kyrgyzstan gained its independence, the government developed many tourism development concepts and strategies. So far, however, these measures have not had positive impacts on the development of tourism, the reason being the lack of continuity of power in the tourism industry of the republic.

Tourism around the Issyk-Kul lake is an important part of the tourism industry in Kyrgyzstan and an important factor in promoting the economic, social, and cultural development of that region and of Kyrgyzstan. However, at the present time, the impacts of tourism on the socio-economic development of the Issyk-Kul region are unclear. Therefore, analysis of tourism in Kyrgyzstan and research on the socio-economic consequences of tourism on the Issyk-Kul lake are of great importance.

The main focus of this research described in this book is tourism development in the Issyk-Kul region, as it is the region that receives the largest numbers of tourists in Kyrgyzstan.

The aims of the research were to predict the development of the tourism industry, to identify any limiting factors for the development of the tourism industry, and to explore any proposal of improved methods for identifying and increasing the contribution of the tourism industry to the economic and social development of the region.

Since the advantage of tourism in the country lies in eco-tourism, the latest proposal for the development of tourism in the region is to actively create national parks and reserves that not only contribute to the conservation of the natural landscape and biodiversity in the tourist area but also stimulate employment and improve the living standards of the local population.

This book details a systematic and comprehensive study of tourism as an important incentive in promoting social and economic growth. Thus, this work will help to pave the way for future research and analysis of problems related to tourism in the socio-economic sphere.

The book is aimed mainly at scientists and researchers whose work is focused on study of the socio-economic impacts of tourism, as well as students and professionals.

We believe that this publication makes an important contribution to our knowledge of the socio-economic and environmental impacts of tourism in the Issyk-Kul region and in the country as a whole.

This book summarizes and presents the results of research and recent studies related to the tourism potentialand the development, socio-economic impacts, and environmental impacts of tourismin the Issyk-Kul region and in Kyrgyzstan as a whole, where tourism is practically the only option for sustainable development.