Kyrgyz Tourism

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Opinion Tourism: staff determine everything In spite of the fact that the tourism industry in Kyrgyzstan is developing rapidly, the system of staff training doesn’t meet the requirements of the labour market and so the level and quality of skilled employees leaves a lot to be desired. Therefore there is a situation, where employers cannot find qualified staff and graduates cannot find jobs. As a result, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism of the Kyrgyz Republic (MITT) is currently initiating some projects to solve staff training problems. Photo: Cholpon Begalieva The main reasons for the current situation are that educational institutions are not planning the future educational process, not conducting market research in the labour market and are not developing trades (occupations), which are in demand in the labour market. The level of practical training, which students get in tourism enterprises is very low. There is another problem - graduates lack practical experience, computer skills, foreign languages, management skills, initiative, ability to work as part of a team and do not understand what clients need. These are the main complaints of tourism businesses about educational institutions. The need for highly skilled staff for the tourism industry is growing quite rapidly and the number of vocational school leavers is increasing every year with 100 (2003), 50 (2004), 158 (2005)* and 89 (2003), 322 (2004), 243 (2005)** from professional lyceums. However, Kyrgyz tour operators are not satisfied with the level of training of university graduates, 107 (2003), 71(2004) and 137 (2005)*. Sanatorium-resort and hotel service, and catering are some of the most important sectors of tourism but unfortunately in our country, especially in the years of changing over to a market economy they have not become as profitable and efficient as in foreign countries. One of the ways of solving this problem is through training and raising the level of staff skills. In this connection MITT has signed a Memorandum with the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic about creating an educational, scientific and industrial faculty in the field of tourism based at the Bishkek State Economics and Business University to study the state of and prospects for developing the tourism industry of the Kyrgyz Republic and also developing innovative ways of training staff for the tourism industry. Obviously, it is necessary to actively engage employers in the educational process, develop professional standards, assess the content and quality of staff training and consequently, it is necessary to develop a social partnership between the government, private sector and educational institutions. Professions are changing, as are their qualification criteria, which is why, it is necessary to develop a new jobs classifier for the tourism sphere and new professional standards and high-quality curricula and to adapt them to the new market conditions. What is the reaction of the teachers and trainers of staff? This question is still open. Gulmira Karymshakova, Head of educational methodical department of Ministry of industry, trade and tourism of KR Today the tourism services market requires specialised ways of training professionals and gaps have been exposed in the current training system. Taking into account the above-stated problems and modern requirements of the labour market, the MITT has developed new criteria for professions in hotel and restaurant service, mountaineering and ecological tourism, which are currently being considered by representatives of the tourism industry. These new professions are needed in the labour market and changes need to be made to the state register of professions of workers, positions of employees and wage categories of OK 008 -98, and in curricula.
Made in KG Cultural exchange in Kyrgyzstan The 2nd At Chabysh Cultural and Sport Festival, a fantastic show with the best horses and riders of Kyrgyzstan, was held on the Barskoon Plateau, Issyk-Kul region from 4th to 7th November The purpose of this international festival is to rehabilitate and preserve the Kyrgyz horse, which is the heart of Kyrgyz nomadic culture. The festival was organized by the local Kyrgyz Ate Foundation in co-operation with the Kyrgyz government. For just three days the shore of Issyk-Kul Lake became an arena where a horse marathon (horse endurance race), traditional horse games, greyhound dog races (taïgans), eagle and falconry displays, archery (jamby) took place. Not only sports competitions were held but also folklore enthusiasts enjoyed the performances of akyns, narrators of the Manas Epic (manaschy), a yurt camp was set up, handicrafts were judged by the audience and of course, gourmets could taste dishes of rich traditional food. This 2nd Festival again attracted international visitors, including TV crews and international journalists and over 8.000 people attended. Modern tourists are usually looking for opportunities to meet and mingle with local people. These exchanges and the experience of a living cultural heritage reflect a profound need, especially for well-travelled people. In Kyrgyzstan they have their origin in the traditional way of life and traditions from time immemorial and seem to appeal to more and more visitors. The At Chabysh Festival could become an important tourist attraction appealing to tourists from way beyond Kyrgyzstan’s borders. In addition, it represents a welcome extension to the relatively short Kyrgyz tourism season and like events in general, generates many overnights and direct income for local people. Vasily Zalokar DMO project coordinator / Helvetas Kyrgyzstan Photo: Vasily Zalokar Holidays in Toktogul TRANSLINE Tourism Company has prepared a new eco-tourism product for the 2007 season - holidays on the shores of Toktogul Reservoir.. apricots, quinces, pears, walnuts and even almonds, grow. There is a separate dining room with a mansard, where it is possible to enjoy magnificent views of the reservoir and surrounding mountain ridge. Photo: Sergey Zavrajnov This area was chosen deliberately for the richness and diversity of its flora and fauna, mild climate and magnificent scenery. The journey from Bishkek to the camp takes five - six hours (360 km from the capital of Kyrgyzstan). On the way it is possible to see magnificent and very varied scenery: from the quiet valley of Suusamyr and the picturesque canyon of Chychkan, with its enormous blue spruce, to the snow-covered alpine mountain passes of Tyuya Shuu and Ala Bel. The basic tours offered by TRANSLINE are short treks and horseback tours. Our staff will be happy to make up individual itineraries based on two standard programmes. We offer special deals at weekends to include relaxation on Toktogul with horse riding, rowing and even small motorboat excursions. For fishermen we offer a unique route to the alpine lake of Kara–Suu, with its large variety of fish. The lake is 40 km from base camp by the reservoir, along a mountain road and the riverbed of the Kara-Suu River. The good location of the camp enables you, during a long weekend, to enjoy fishing on Kara-Suu and relax by Toktogul Reservoir and its charming surroundings. Sergey Zavrajnov tour manager of TRANSLINE Here there is everything for a relaxing holiday. The comfortable cottages for 18 people (single and triple rooms) are located almost in the centre of an orchard, where apples,
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