On January 15, seven U.S. Peace Corps Response Eco-Tourism Volunteers arrived in Bishkek to help promote sustainable tourism in partnership with local non-profit Kyrgyz Community Based Tourism Association (KCBTA). After completing training, Response Volunteers will work with CBT partners to develop nature-based tours, assist in creating effective marketing strategies to attract domestic and international tourists, establish guidelines and best practices to minimize the impact of tourism on local ecosystems of the Kyrgyz Republic, and help local partners improve their English language skills, the U.S. Embassy in Kyrgyzstan said.
The Volunteers will undergo two weeks of intensive training, which includes Kyrgyz language classes and cross-cultural competence before deploying to Community Based Tourism Association offices in Kochkor, Toktogul, Arslanbob, Naryn, Karakol, Osh, and Bishkek as Eco-tourism Marketing Specialists. Their planned length of service is 12 months.
“Community Based Tourism Associations throughout the country are glad to welcome Response Volunteers! We hope that these Volunteers will support us in improving our eco-tourism offerings to attract a wide range of tourists to Kyrgyzstan,” said Asylbek Rajiev, the Executive Director of Kyrgyz Community Based Tourism Association.
The Response Volunteers will complement the 35 English language education Volunteers currently serving in Kyrgyzstan, bringing the total number of Volunteers to 42. Peace Corps Kyrgyz Republic’s Eco-tourism Response program is the first in the Peace Corps’ Europe, Asia, and Mediterranean Region and reflects Peace Corps’ increased focus on climate action.
