The project "Тhird phase of the Central Asia regional links program" was successfully implemented by the consulting company THR Tourism Industry Advisors, SL in collaboration with TBSC, and the sub-consultant United Group LLC.

The project "The Тhird phase of the Central Asia regional links program" (CARs-3), funded by the World Bank, was successfully implemented by the consulting company THR Tourism Industry Advisors, SL (Spain) in collaboration with TBSC (Georgia), and the sub-consultant United Group Teknik Danishmanlik Limited Shirketi LLC (Kyrgyz Republic). The project was commissioned by the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Kyrgyz Republic (MоТC KR) and the Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic (DТ).

The consultant developed the "Sustainable Tourism Strategy for the Issyk-Kul Region and the Master Plan, including the preparation of two local development plans for the Ak-Suu and Tyup districts (the concept of geopark development) in the Issyk-Kul region, as well as the Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA)" (Contract No. CARs3/CS/QCBS-02-01).

The project was led by THR Tourism Industry Advisors, SL and was implemented from June 2022 to July 2024. The project included the following tasks:

• Task 1: Analysis and assessment of the sustainable tourism market in the Issyk-Kul region.
• Task 2: Strategic analysis of sustainable tourism development in the Issyk-Kul region.
• Task 3: Development of the Master Plan for sustainable tourism development in the Issyk-Kul region.
• Task 4: Preparation of development plans for the Ak-Suu and Tyup districts (including the concept of geopark development) in the Issyk-Kul region.
• Task 5: Improvement of air transport in the Issyk-Kul region (airports of Issyk-Kul and Karakol).
• Task 6: Identification of changes and new trends in the tourism market of the Issyk-Kul region in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Task 7: Preparation of the Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) for sustainable tourism development in the Issyk-Kul region.
• Task 8: Provision and dissemination of information on the Sustainable Tourism Strategy and Master Plan, including the preparation of two local development plans for the Ak-Suu and Tyup districts (geopark concept development) in the Issyk-Kul region, as well as the Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment.

The project includes the following 7 deliverables:

• Report 1 and 2, including: a. Initial project report.
• Report 3, including: a. Preliminary survey results to determine the satisfaction of residents and visitors. b. Basic conditions for sustainable tourism development in the Issyk-Kul region. c. Analysis of the regulatory framework governing the creation of geoparks in the Kyrgyz Republic.
• Report 4, including: a. Final development of the geopark concept and two development plans for the Ak-Suu and Tyup districts of the Issyk-Kul region. b. Final draft of the Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment for tourism development in the Issyk-Kul region. c. Analysis of the regulatory framework governing sustainable tourism development in the Issyk-Kul region.
• Report 5, including: a. First draft of the sustainable tourism development program for the Issyk-Kul region (2023-2028). b. First draft of the Master Plan for sustainable tourism development in the Issyk-Kul region (2023-2028).
• Report 6, including: a. Final program for sustainable tourism development in the Issyk-Kul region (2023-2028).
• Report 7, including: a. Final action plan for sustainable tourism development in the Issyk-Kul region (2023-2028). b. Final report on the Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment for tourism development in the Issyk-Kul region.

Based on the results of the "Sustainable Tourism Development in the Issyk-Kul Region" component within the framework of the implementation of the "The Third phase of the Central Asia regional links program" (CARs-3) project, a decree from the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in the Issyk-Kul region, U.E. Daliev, dated April 29, 2024 (outgoing No. 88), approved the Sustainable Tourism Development Program for the Issyk-Kul Region for 2024-2028 and the Action Plan for the Implementation of the Sustainable Tourism Program for the Issyk-Kul Region for 2024-2028.