Linkage Training for Authorities Guided by Mountain Societies Development Support Programme (MSDSP), Pamir Eco Cultural Tourism Association (PECTA ) / State Committee for Youth, Sport and Tourism

What do you know about your country?  Do you know why tourists come to Tajikistan?  Are you aware that our country is worth travelling to?

These and many other questions were raised and discussed at the three fruitful trainings, which were organised by MSDSP, PECTA and State Committee for Youth, Sport and Tourism during the last month in Khorog town, Ishkashim and Darwaz districts under the guidance of MSDSP Tourism Advisor Mr. Matthias Poeschel (expert in Tourism development) for authorities from Police Office, Boarder Guards, Custom Office and other officials.  The main aim of this linkage training was creation of close cooperation for joint efforts in promotion of Tourism Industry for the benefit of the entire country and provision of good services to the tourists.  And all this because Tourism development is economic development .

Among the main points covered during the training included the important role the officials can play in development of Tourism and in supporting tourists.  Some good examples of best practices and success stories in the field of Tourism development from different parts of world have been brought up to the participants’ attention.  It was stressed that in promotion of Tourism Industry and in fulfilling their role, authorities act as representatives of their country and their adequate and friendly attitude towards the tourists can make all the difference, since the first impression counts .  Authorities are there to make work the motto of the Tourism Industry of the country – Tajikistan feel the Friendship – by making it really felt at the first and every check- and crossing-point and other offices. 

It was a general agreement at the seminars in all three districts that we need more tourists.  But the resultant question of whether we were ready for this served as a wake-up call for the participants.  During the discussions over the issue, the participants generally agreed that we have to be ready for that by improving our soft and hard skills, like infrastructure, products and services.  What is more, improving the infrastructure for Tourism development became the focal point of the discussions and it was realised that such an improvement was important for attracting the tourists to the country, but more importantly, it were the local population that would benefit from it in the first place. 

In addition and in relation to the improvement of infrastructure, it was stressed that to improve the Tourism Industry in Tajikistan we need to improve the business environment as well as develop the rules and regulations for Tourism development.  For these rules and regulations need to be more Tourism-friendly.

One of the most significant conclusions of the training was that that domestic tourism was as important as international.  The people of Tajikistan need to travel more within their own country, to know each other better and to come closer together.  People from the north of the country should travel to its eastern part to see the Pamir Mountains, while people from these mountains may travel to the south of the country etc.  Such form of Tourism will make people aware of their own country as well as strengthen the country’s identity.

During the discussions and Q&A parts, each agency shared their experience of encountering the tourists, pointing out to some important issues from the standpoints of the official agencies.  Among which the issue of language barrier, the issue of the lack of information and lack of awareness of rules and regulations of the country on the part of tourists were brought up.  In addition, it came up that setting up signposts/ signboards for the tourists’ orientation as well as educational material for the tourists would be a very good move in helping up both the tourists and the authorities. 

The summative conclusion of the training was that we need more tourists – both international and domestic – but we should be prepared for that by working hard on improvement of our soft and hard skills, better provision of services.  Next, it was pointed out that there was an urgent need for a) improvement of language skills of the officials dealing with tourists; b) provision of information and education for the international tourists; and c) setting up signposts/ signboards in different areas of GBAO.  MSDSP agreed with a) and will be working on the proposal for organisation of language courses for the relevant officials in Khorog town and districts.  In regard with b), MSDSP/ PECTA also will provide information material and Tourism maps for the checkpoints and relevant offices, which would be a very important step towards promotion of tourism in Tajikistan – these crossing- and check-points can become also information desks, where tourists instead of wasting time, would gain it by getting access to the necessary information.  At the same time, Matthias Poeschel ensured the participants that some educational material for tourists will be prepared to make them more sensitive to the specifics of Tajikistan.  As for c), MSDSP/ PECTA will be directly involved with relevant individuals and agencies in designing and setting up the signposts/ signboards across GBAO and as a sign of collaboration and good will, creation of touristic signposts/ signboards in three languages for Darwaz District is already been in process.

It was made clear by the MSDSP expert in Tourism development that the training was not just one-short initiative, but a continuous and persistent cooperation and collaboration.  Organisation of this training is the beginning of set of trainings to make officials and broader community ready for the future of Tourism Industry of Tajikistan for the people of Tajikistan and for their guests, if we are determined to make Tajikistan another success story in the field of Tourism development.  These trainings as new quality of collaboration are beneficial for the future of Tajikistan and we are looking forward to strengthening such collaboration, because we stand firm on our conviction that collaboration is the key to success.