New golden altai – wealth of tourism for local development

Gift to the Earth may be gift for locals

The project "Golden Altai – wealth for local development", developed by Slovak and Kazakh NGOs, has won the EU grant competition "Regional development in Kazakhstan"

The main aim of the project is to foster the development of sustainable rural tourism in the East Kazakhstan oblast as a suitable tool for levelling disparities in regional development, improving the social environment and rural livelihoods.

The project will be implemented in 2014-2016 in the Kazakh part of Altai – a remarkable area of high ecological, cultural and historical value. The project area encompasses 3 protected areas described by WWF as ‘Gift to the Earth’

There is a process underway to inscribe the Markakol Lake Nature Reserve and Katon Karagai National Park to the UNESCO World Natural Heritage list.

Only about 10.000 visitors per year currently visit the area, mainly going to mountain spas and recreation sites near lakes. In comparison, the neighbouring Russian part of Altai is visited by 2 millions and the Chinese part (Kanas lake area) by 1,5 million visitors each year.

The project actions aim to transfer rich European experience in rural tourism development to local NGOs, protected areas and authorities in the region through co-operation with and study-tours organized to National Park Gesäuse in Austria, Wallachian Open-air Museum in Ro-¾nov pod Radhošt-›m in the Czech Republic and Rzeszow Regional Development Agency in Poland.

Rural people will be able to enhance their skills in workshops on traditional crafts, cuisine, guest and guide services. Thanks to this project, rural entrepreneurs and craft masters will be better linked with tourists as main recipients of their production and services.

Craftsmen will be able to demonstrate their skills at suitable events and to gain valuable feedback and inspiration for their further work and to increase their income via effective promotion of their production.

The development and implementation of social integration programmes will contribute to improved adaptation of orphans and teenagers with disabilities to socio-economic environment, to improve the quality of life of these disadvantaged groups of young people helping them with vocational opportunities.

The project supports sensitive development of information and accommodation facilities, strengthens the identity of one of the richest regions in natural and cultural heritage of Kazakhstan.

A balanced mix of tourist attractions, promotional materials, and events will be used to facilitate full provision of necessary information for travel  to and within this area and to guarantee better appreciation of this unique heritage by visitors and guests.

A modern marketing campaign will take place including multimedia, websites, quality booklets and trade fair presentation. This should effectively reach the public outside the region and place the Altai Mountains in Kazakhstan among the most interesting destinations in the world worth paying a visit.

Valere Tjolle

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