Meet Nuraly Turganbaev. He's 52 years old, originally from picturesque At-Bashy, a graduate of the Faculty of Foreign Languages ​​at the Balasagyn Kyrgyz National Univeristy, and a father of three kids. His journey in tourism began unexpectedly, but has proven long, vibrant, and profoundly significant not only for him but for the entire industry.

In his fourth year at university, Nuraly first guided a group of French tourists. This experience shaped his future path: after graduation, he worked as a guide for 15 years, studying the market and needs of visitors to Kyrgyzstan.

In 2006, having gained experience, Nuraly founded EcoNomad, a company focused on eco-friendly and authentic tourism. Today, its portfolio includes horseback riding and hiking tours, cycling routes, mountain expeditions, cultural and combined programmes throughout Central Asia.

Today, we'd like to share another inspiring story of a participant in the UNDP Aid for Trade adventure tourism project.

For EcoNomad, participation in the adventure tourism development initiative in Kyrgyzstan, implemented jointly with the FSDS Foundation, was a turning point.

This new knowledge and experience allowed Nuraly and his team to improve the quality of tourism products and services, master modern marketing tools, expand their online presence, strengthen partnerships within and outside the country, increase brand awareness at international exhibitions, and lay the foundation for sustainable company growth.

"The project's most valuable contribution is knowledge. In today's world, we need to constantly innovate, as they say, 'stay on trend,' and understand where the market is heading. This is precisely what we gained through this collaboration. A huge thank you to UNDP for this opportunity," notes Nuraly Turganbaev. 

The story of Nuraly and EcoNomad is a shining example of how skills development and access to modern tools can transform tourism into a sustainable economic sector. This approach creates new jobs, supports local communities, and promotes Kyrgyzstan's unique natural and cultural heritage.

The company's experience directly aligns with the priorities of the National Tourism Development Programme until 2030: increasing the sector's contribution to GDP, enhancing the country's international competitiveness, and ensuring high safety standards, particularly in mountain destinations.