Ongoing project: “Promoting Sustainable Tourism Development in the Republic of Tajikistan” with partnership of UNWTO, the Committee of Tourism Development of the Republic of Tajikistan, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB)

• 3-pillar project: 1. Tourism Statistical Assistance - strengthening the tourism statistics of Tajikistan in order to prepare it for its first experimental TSA 2. Development of a Sustainable Tourism Development Plan 3. Development of an International and Domestic Tourism Survey and Report

Education & Training

(Match: The enhancement of skills of the tourism workforce, along with the creation of jobs in tourism, is identified as a key priority. Tajikistan is specifically interested in the capacity building programs for the workers of hospitality and guides as well as for managers of the medium level).

Support through the UNWTO.Academy:

UNWTO can support Tajikistan in the development of tourism educational programmes (i.e, curricula), along with the delivery of tailored-made trainings (I.e., training for officials, training for tourism guides)

• UNWTO.Academy can assist Tajikistan to develop academic courses in tourism field in different state universities.
• Organization of masterclasses/seminars for government official on the tourism management and tourism planning.

Enhance the tourism offer of Tajikistan and its promotion

(Match: Tajikistan experiences lack of tourism product that mostly is presented by eco-tourism. The country is also very less-known tourist destination due to absence of widespread advertisement campaign, which would allow the country to break into world markets).

• UNWTO.Academy: Organization of dedicated trainings on efficient promotion and marketing
  of destinations for destinations officials/assist destinations on the development of marketing & Promotion strategy of destinations

Digital transformation and technical assistance

(Match: Lack of digital technologies causes the underdevelopment of the tourism industry as well as prevents to attract new flows of tourists from western countries)

• Introduce the UNWTO Start-up Competition on different topics, the world’s largest startup competitions in tourism.
• Assist Tajik government in the attraction of Google maps, Trip Advisor, Air B&B and other leading world travel services to the country’s tourism industry.

Attraction of foreign investment

(Match:in order to implement all the reforms in the field of tourism, Tajikistan needs financial resources. This can be done through the attraction of foreign private investments)

• Explore the possibility to provide support through the IEI programme, and the organization of investment forum with the support of UNWTO in Tajikistan.
• Support the country, including technical assistance, in the preparations of TORs, master-planes and etc. for their further application to get financial aid from different financial institutions, i.e. World Bank, EBBR, ADB and etc.
• UNWTO & fDi intelligence from the Financial Times - UNWTO Members can have a limited access to world-class digital investment platforms at no cost   

Rural tourism

(Match: The use of natural resources and landscape values, resulting from increased activity of rural areas will, largely, provide a basis for the development of tourism sector. Tajikistan must correctly harness its natural assets, which include rural areas, natural environments)

• UNWTO Rural Tourism Development Programme - Best Tourism Villages of the World: International Label; Tourism Villages Upgrade Programme; Best Tourism Villages Network
  • Tajikistan has not submitted any applications for 2021 and 2022 editions.

Tourism development strategy in the republic of Tajikistan for the period up to 2030

The main objectives of the strategy:

• To ensure sustainable development of tourism in the country.
• Formation of the institutional framework for the development of the tourism industry;
• Formation of a modern tourist infrastructure;
• Strengthening the tourism potential and proper organization of its comprehensive promotion;
• Ensuring the competitiveness of tourism products by improving the quality of service;
• Formation and presentation of the national brand of tourist areas-marketing and promotion of tourism products, protection, development and rational use of natural and recreational resources and historical and cultural heritage;
• Strengthening human resources, staffing and productive employment in the tourism industry;
• Compliance with international standards and ensuring the safety of tourists;
• Creation and development of tourism clusters and provision of innovations and investments for the development of the tourist industry

Source: https://shorturl.at/ALZ08

Tajikistan’s five priorities for 2024-2025

1. Tourism Infrastructure Development
2. Tourism human Resources enhancement
3. Tourism services quality improvement
4. Shaping country’s tourism brand image
5. Improvement of country’s positions in international rankings and attraction of foreign investments

Source: UNWTO survey for the Preparation of 2024–2025 Programme of Work