On Thursday, 12 May, the largest tourism exhibition of the region, Arabian Travel Market 2022 (ATM), ended in Dubai. The event brought together over 1,500 companies, including companies from Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyzstan was represented by the Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth of the Kyrgyz Republic, Kyrgyz Pamir, Destination Karakol, Jazeera Travel Company, Ak-Sai Travel, Voyager Group, NoviNomad Travel Company, and the Kyrgyz Association of Tour Operators.

This year's exhibition focused on the post-COVID-19 recovery of tourism industry. More than 23,000 people visited the exhibition, which provided an opportunity to present Kyrgyzstan’s tourism potential and establish business contacts with tour operators from the Middle East, allowing to enter new markets and attract tourists from abroad.

Shirin Turganbaeva, Head of Karakol Destination and a member of the Kyrgyz delegation said: "It was a great opportunity to present our tourism potential at Arabian Travel Market 2022, as we continue to recover from COVID-19, while looking at ways to further develop the industry. Kyrgyz travel companies at the exhibition presented their tour products, designed for tourists from Arab countries and aimed at discovering the untouched nature of high mountains, historical complexes preserved along the Great Silk Road, and the material and spiritual values of ancient nomadic tribes.”

Industry leaders gathered at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) to exchange views on the future of international travel and tourism. Industry professionals presented their tour products and discussed the latest trends from various areas of tourism, including technology, transport and sustainability.

The initiative took place within the framework of the Aid for Trade in Central Asia project, supported by the Government of Finland.