UNESCO promotes sustainable tourism at UNESCO-designated sites in regions of Kazakhstan
The project, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, will be implemented in five regions of Kazakhstan: Almaty Region, East Kazakhstan Region, Zhambyl Region, Kyzylorda Region and Turkestan Region. The project is aimed at promoting heritage-based tourism (cultural and eco-tourism) at and around UNESCO-designated sites. It will focus on the sites included in UNESCO's World Heritage List, Man and the Biosphere programme and potential sites to be included in the Global Geoparks Network, the official website of the UNESCO Almaty Office reads.
During the meeting, the participants will discuss the current situation as regards their preservation and management, tourism development and related educational and awareness-raising programmes. The meeting will also provide an occasion for the participants to gain a better understanding about the obligations and opportunities related to the labels of World Heritage, UNESCO biosphere reserves and global geoparks, as well as to discuss and agree on the further action plan and cooperation within the project.
The meeting will bring together representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Sport, Forestry and Wildlife Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture, local administration of the five pilot regions, directors of biosphere reserves and managers of the World Heritage Sites, representatives of tourism-related organizations in Kazakhstan, international organizations and other potential partners of the project.