Silk Road Tourism in Focus at CAREC Tourism Meeting

The CAREC Tourism Working Group Meeting and Capacity Building Workshop took place on June 12-13, 2023, in Tbilisi, Georgia. The event aimed to reinvigorate tourism in the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) region, focusing on the Silk Road and promoting regional cooperation.

Participants engaged in discussions about sustainable tourism development progress in the region. They explored new activities such as the indicator database, visa facilitation study, ABEC safety/health protocols, and accommodation classification. The session fostered open dialogue among participants from CAREC countries, allowing them to provide their views and inputs on these initiatives.

The event also included a discussion on the CAREC Tourism Web Portal, which showcased key features, country information, and tourist sites along the Silk Road. Participants had an opportunity to provide their feedback, suggest improvements, and discuss ways to manage and sustain the portal effectively.

Additionally, a Capacity Building Program for the public and private sectors was presented, aiming to enhance tourism expertise. Participants agreed on the scope of the program and shared their insights on climate change impacts on the CAREC tourism sector.

CAREC is a partnership of 10 countries and aims to promote economic cooperation and development in the region by fostering five clusters: (i) economic and financial stability, (ii) trade tourism and economic corridors, (iii) infrastructure and economic connectivity, (iv) agriculture and water, (v) human development and crosscutting themes.

Established in 2001, CAREC program aims to create a seamless and integrated regional economy that benefits all member countries by enhancing connectivity, reducing trade barriers, and promoting sustainable development.