Small scale eco-tourism in Arslanbob, Kyrgyzstan.
This fall I had the pleasure of having a study-trip to Central-Asia. In Kyrgyzstan I came in contact with a kyrgyz organisation that arranges traditional accommodation and a range of activities for tourists that wants a real kyrgyz experience. This winter I will return to work as a volunteer in Arslanbob where they are trying to develop a marked for tourist also in winter, but there are a some challenges that we hope that you might be willing to help solve.
CBT (Community Based Tourism) is a kyrgyz organisation that provides contact with a wide range of guides, drivers and families that are willing to receive guests, either in their house in the a village or in their yurt at the summer pastures. CBT has many small branches around the country that provides different services to their tourists. The branch in Arslanbob lies two hours north of the second biggest city in Kyrgyzstan, Osh. Arslanbob has, because of their beautiful nature, a small but steady stream of tourist during the summer months. The village is famous for and very proud of their walnut forest, which is the biggest of its kind in the world.
When I was in Arslanbob the CBT-coordinator there said that they were trying to develop a range of winter activities for tourist. 90% of the villagers are unemployed in winter. The coordinator wants to remedy this fact and attract tourists that are interested in a more exotic winter holiday. This will create income for individual families and for the village as a whole. But, they have no tradition for skiing.
CBT Arslanbob wants to provide guided cross country and horse and sledge trips through their beautiful and open walnut forest. In addition to this they would like to provide ski mountaineering in the surrounding area where the descent is focused upon. To be able to provide this they need knowledge about skiing and avalanches, and ski gear in general. This is the case with both the guides and the tourists but maybe most importantly for the next generation of local guides. The kids in snow filled Arslanbob have never skied and therefore need both equipment and instruction.
CBT Arslanbob primarily needs help to get their local guides up to a decent level, so that they can guide their ski mountaineering tourists safely up and down mountains and so that they can instruct the rest of the village and especially the children. A winter past time activity like skiing can be an important and healthy way to get through the long winter.
This is a good possibility to use our enthusiasm about skiing to help others. In addition this could be a great advertising possibility.
We face challenges in the form of logistics and in acquiring:
- Ski gear (Skis, shoes, bindings)
- Avalanche gear (transceivers, probe poles, shovels)
- Sponsors in clothing and other winter gear
- Creation of attention about the destination
Can you help Arslanbob with any of the challenges listed above, and especially regarding transportation?
Best regards,
Kjartan Tveitnes Pedersen
Mob (Norway): +47 41 20 37 35
Email: kjartan.pedersen(at)gmail(dot)com
Website: skiinginarslanbob.wordpress.com
