Tourism Promotion for Tajikistan on New York Times

The most popular American newspaper, New York Times, published an article last week by journalist Andy Isaacson who reflected on his interesting and detailed observations from touring Tajikistan and especially its Pamir Mountains known as “Roof of the World.” I am sure every Tajik citizen can take a benefit and pride when reading it. For instance, Andy depicts his impressions to millions of readers in such sentences:

“East meeting West, North meeting South: since time immemorial, the Wakhan Valley, in the Pamir Mountains, has existed at the intersection of trails trodden by nomads, peddlers, pilgrims and, at times, the soldiers and emissaries of great powers. When I’d thought about traveling to see this rugged branch of the ancient Silk Road, it had seemed like an adventure to the far-flung periphery of the world. Now, as I looked around the market, taking the long view of history, it felt more like the center.”

Certainly, we learn much from such perspectives of foreigners regarding our nation’s history and culture which makes us glad at the first look, but when thinking more deeply it makes us sad since then we realize how we, the Easterners, have noticeably fallen behind from Westerners in science, technology, world influence, and etc. It is while just 10 centuries ago our civilization was the most advanced and influential in practically all vital fields and regions of the world. 

However, this is not the point right now, but rather the importance of developing tourism in Tajikistan which to some extent is already being done for us by foreigners free of charge. I can argue that even by promoting solely tourism sector to a desired level meeting high requirements our country can attract huge capital and thus, improve its economy and living standards of population. Countries like Switzerland and Austria which closely resemble Tajikistan in terms of land and climate types earn significant profits from their tourism sector, so we can potentially achieve the same results by investing to development and promotion of tourism in our country as well. 

Imagine if instead of miserable 15,000 tourists as of last year our country attracts 100,000 tourists in a few years ahead and if every tourist roughly spends $3,000 in our economy we could possibly reap $300 million and provide good income jobs for tens of thousands of our unemployed citizens. In addition, developed tourism can create a better image for the country and make it known more as land of fairy adventure to the Roof of the World, than as a home of cheap labor force and migrants. 

Our great ancestors have advised us that one finished job is better than ten incomplete. So, while our country lacks any major oil and gas reserves, if considered as weakness, perhaps we should dwell on its strengths like our mountain tops, speedy rivers, and rich culture and history as our best bet in creating a better future for the nation.