Tourism Development under the CAREC Program

The purpose of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program is to support socioeconomic growth in its member countries through cooperation and integration in development sectors.

The CAREC Region

The 11 countries that make up the CAREC region are at the very center of the world: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Throughout history, this is the region that has bridged east and west. It has been, and is again becoming, a vibrant trading network, now referred to as the Silk Roads.

Here, empires and cities rose and fell, migrations scattered, and cultures were born. Some of the world’s highest mountains, greatest deserts, and largest inland seas are here. Religions have traveled its highways; armies have come and gone. Once again, the world is looking to the cultures, the connecting routes, and the mineral riches of Central Asia: wars and the Great Game have been part of its continuing history. Across its vastness, vibrant cultures and new cities are emerging, and once again, innovation and genius can be seen. Trade and travel are fundamental to this region, and the tourism potential is growing, if challenges can be overcome.

Background to CAREC and Its New Strategy and Objectives​

In support of a broader vision endorsed at the 16th Ministerial Conference in October 2017, Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) expanded its operational priorities to better address the region’s development needs and help its member states achieve the 2030 Global Development Agenda through the sustained promotion of regional cooperation
and integration. Given that the essence of tourism is to create and foster better dialogue, increased people-to-people exchanges, more economic ties, and increased connectivity throughout the region, its development is an operational priority under CAREC 2030.

CAREC will promote a regional approach to sustainable tourism development to maximize economic opportunities while safeguarding ecosystems. Regional initiatives to support the region’s large untapped tourism potential will encompass advertising and branding, investing in tourism services and critical infrastructure, jointly developing tourist products, and advocating harmonization and relaxation of visa regimes.

Endorsed at the 16th Ministerial Conference in October 2017, the CAREC 2030 strategy seeks to expand the horizons of economic cooperation in the region by connecting people, policies, and projects for shared and sustainable development. Given that the essence of tourism is to create and foster better dialogue, increased people-to-people exchanges, more economic ties, and increased connectivity throughout the region, its development is an operational priority under CAREC 2030.

CAREC will promote a regional approach to sustainable tourism development to maximize economic opportunities and to safeguard ecosystems. Regional initiatives to support the region’s large untapped tourism potential will encompass advertising and branding, investing in tourism services and critical infrastructure, jointly developing tourist products, and advocating harmonization and relaxation of visa regimes. (to be updated)