Analysis of Cooperation in the Tourism Sector between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan: a Study of Cross-border Value Chains

Research Question 
 
How can building enhanced regional value chains deliver a better cross-border tourism 
experience between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan?
a. In what ways do the current cross-border value chains operate in the tourism sector of 
Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan? 
b. What are the current success aspects contributing to effective cross-border value 
chains in tourism? 
c. What are the main barriers in cross-border tourism value chains for delivering a better 
tourism experience? 
d. What policies and practices are needed to boost tourism value chains across borders, 
and what benefits might stakeholders expect from resulting strengthened policy and 
practice? 
Research Beneficiaries / Stakeholders for Interviews 
 
There is a complex network of tourism stakeholders in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan operating at 
different levels, including public and private entities, and those who function as intermediaries 
versus direct service providers. These include:
i) State and local authorities 
ii) Businesses: 
o Service providers: accommodation, transport, restaurants, attraction operators, 
guides, event-companies; 
o Intermediaries in the tourism sector: tour operators and tour agents; 
o Tourism-focused associations. 
iii) Tourists: 
o 
“Bilateral” tourists: Uzbek citizens visiting Kyrgyzstan and Kyrgyz citizens 
visiting Uzbekistan;
o International tourists: tourists visiting Uzbekistan and/or Kyrgyzstan from other 
countries (they included CAREC, CIS, CA countries and other groups).
iv) International organizations 
Possible Impact of the Study
(i) Enhanced regional cooperation policies between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, as well 
as national policies in tourism. 
(ii) Elimination of barriers. Elimination of barriers for cross-border tourism, such as visa 
regulations, border crossing regulations, etc..

---

6 
(iii)Strengthened value chains and application of the findings to stakeholders’ practice. 
Businesses and other stakeholders will be able to streamline their operations and 
management practices based on the research findings.
(iv) Increased competitiveness of tourism businesses, particularly SMEs, resulting from 
strengthened and regionally integrated value chains. 
(v) Tourism facilitation. E.g. improved transport connectivity; synergy with the Belt and 
Road Initiative (BRI) to facilitate tourism in the region.

---

7 
II. 
Analysis of Findings 
Analysis of Findings based on Data Collected in Kyrgyzstan