Today, the VII International Tourism Festival “Salam, Osh!” officially opened in the picturesque area of the Besh-Mergen recreation resort in Kara-Suu district of Osh region, bringing together representatives of government institutions, the tourism sector, entrepreneurs, artisans, international partners, and guests from Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.

The festival is being held within the framework of the “Programme for Sustainable Tourism Development in the Osh Region of the Kyrgyz Republic for 2024–2028” and, over recent years, has become one of the key regional platforms for promoting the tourism potential of Osh region and strengthening cross-border cooperation in the Ferghana Valley. 

"The organization of such events contributes to infrastructure development, investment attraction, the promotion of cultural heritage, and the sustainable socio-economic development of the region. I would like to thank all the partners and organizers of the festival. Thank you to the World Bank, UNDP, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Association of Tour Operators..." noted Amankan Kenjebaev, Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in the Osh Region. 

Since 2024, the festival format has been expanded and relocated to different districts of the region with the aim of promoting new tourism destinations and engaging local communities in tourism development. Following events held in Alay and Nookat districts, the 2026 festival took place in Kara-Suu district, showcasing the region’s rich natural, cultural, and economic potential. 

The Besh-Mergen recreation resort, located in a scenic foothill area, became a symbolic venue for the festival, reflecting the broad opportunities of Osh region for the development of eco-tourism, adventure tourism, and family tourism. 

Within the framework of the festival, participants presented tourism routes, handicraft products, gastronomic traditions, cultural programmes, and opportunities for the development of small and medium-sized businesses in the tourism sector. Particular attention was given to supporting women entrepreneurs, youth, and local producers. 

Participants noted that such events contribute not only to promoting the tourism potential of the region, but also to strengthening economic and humanitarian ties among the border regions of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. Following previous festivals, an increase in tourist flows was recorded, including a rise in the number of visitors from the Republic of Uzbekistan. 

UNDP supports initiatives aimed at developing sustainable tourism and entrepreneurship, expanding economic opportunities for local communities, as well as strengthening trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian cooperation between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Uzbekistan. 

Support for these initiatives is provided with the assistance of the UN Peacebuilding Fund and the Government of Finland as part of broader efforts to strengthen interregional cooperation, enhance economic resilience, and expand opportunities for constructive engagement among the countries of the Ferghana Valley. The initiatives are implemented jointly by UNDP, IOM, and UNODC. 

The “Salam, Osh – 2026!” festival reaffirmed the strong potential of Osh region as one of the promising centres of cultural, ecological, and adventure tourism in Central Asia, as well as the importance of tourism as a tool for sustainable development, employment generation, and strengthening trust among communities and countries across the region.