Community Based Tourism

Finding the Euilibrium in the COMCEC Context

As the KCBTA strived to achieve the aforementioned main objectives, the association faced

several critical challenges that if not mitigated properly could prevent the CBT program

from generating successful results in Kyrgyzstan. In order for the KCBTA to clearly identify

the needs that may create challenges regarding the success of the CBT program, a situation

analysis was performed to recognize area weaknesses. The KCBTA then generated

potential solutions to overcome those weaknesses, resulting in the KCBTA Strategy Matrix

identifying the following potential area weaknesses, potential solutions, and actors (i.e.

stakeholders) that would be responsible for executing the solution:

Limited information about CBT products, services, and providers resulting in lack of

trust in CBT;

Solution: Awareness raising and marketing campaigns.

Lack of knowledge and skills to develop and run adequate/sustainable tourism

services;

Solution: CBT/KCBTA organizing policy dialogues and applying for donor funding.

Lack of access to financial resources, such as credit and other financial services and

institutions;

Solution: Capacity building of local communities with Community Based Tourism Support

Products (CBTSP) and the KCBTA.

Poorly developed infrastructure to support CBT;

Solution: Established revolving fund for CBT members with CBTSP.

The solutions that were generated to overcome the weaknesses that were identified in the

area required the KCBTA to appoint key actors including:

Kyrgyz Community-based Tourism Association (KCBTA):

This organization was

appointed responsible to incorporate CBT into the mainstream tourism industry in

Kyrgyzstan. The KCBTA supports the development of new or existing CBT groups throughout

the country, strives to enhance rural tourism infrastructure and living standards of locals

through income generation and job creation.

Rural inhabitants

were appointed as the actors to provide direct tourism services and to

supply other goods and services required to attract tourists, such as the operation of food and

beverage establishments.

Community Based Tourism Support Products (CBTSP)

were created and operated by

Helvetas, a Swiss Intercooperation organization. The organization leads efforts to provide

rural tourism entrepreneurs with the proper training and marketing support during the start-

up and growth phases of their tourism business enterprises.

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE):

The OSCE Center in

Bishkek provides support to further develop CBT initiatives in Kyrgyzstan as well as