Community Based Tourism
Finding the Euilibrium in the COMCEC Context
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replication of the CBT model in Kyrgyzstan’s neighbouring countries, such as Kazakhstan,
Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
The results of the KCBTA program are (as quoted by Baktygulov and Raeva, 2010):
1. Economic Impact: The total number of tourists using CBT services in 2008 was 9,260, a
13 fold increase from 2000 (718 tourists). The total turnover increased from 7,983 USD in
2000 to 250,554 USD in 2008. These numbers indicate the growing popularity of CBT in
Kyrgyzstan.
2. Social Impact: The increasing demand for CBT products and services by tourists
generated employment opportunities for locals with the creation of 412 direct jobs (in
2008) with that have an average salary of about 40 USD per month. The whole
community enjoys indirect benefits from tourism such as improved infrastructure,
environmental awareness and cultural preservation.
3. Environmental Impact: The Ecological Code was developed as a set of guidelines for CBT
members and the community in general. It includes ecological and cultural conservation
principles as well as principles related to local community development and ecotourism
promotion. It was decided to include the Ecological Code as an integral part of any
cooperation agreements that the KCBTA signs with other partners as a guarantee of the
environmental sustainability of the CBT model.
Central Asian Community Based Tourism Network
The success of CBT networking initiatives in Kyrgyzstan encouraged the launch of a
regional CBT network called Central Asian Community Based Tourism Network. Tajikistan,
Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan are also a part of this network. The network aims to
strengthen the collaboration in the region regarding CBT marketing and improve
community-based infrastructure and tourism superstructure.
Some CBT principles could be observed in tourism product development and the
distribution of revenues gained from tourism services. The products include using local
accommodations (home-stays), food, music, art, crafts (e.g. carpet-weaving), hiking and
climbing in local natural spots, horseback riding, participation in traditional sports, etc. The
revenues accrued from these activities go directly to the members of the local communities.
‘Hospitality Kyrgyzstan’ also boasts democratic participation by community members in
the decision making process. In the promotion of this participatory decision making
process, the KCBTA initiated a structure within the Central Asian Community Based
Tourism Network where the General Assembly, composed of members from each country,
is the main decision making unit, while national representatives are in charge of
coordination and implementation of decisions.