EUSR`s Opening Speech at the first EU- Central Asia Tourism Forum

Ladies and Gentlemen, Esteemed Guests,

I am honoured to open the EU-Central Asia Tourism Forum in person here today on behalf of the European Union, alongside Commissioner Tsitsikostas, who addresses us through a video message.

Central Asia is a region of endless fascination. The fabled stories of Silk Road caravans, great khans, enchanting poets... The list goes on. This profound historical and cultural heritage, combined with breathtaking nature, makes Central Asia a region with plenty to offer to any visitor.

I have personally had the privilege of being a tourist in Central Asia many, many times. I have seen ancient Merv in Turkmenistan; the magnificent Pamir mountains in Tajikistan; the awe-inspiring steppes of Kazakhstan; and the narrow, atmospheric streets of Bukhara in Uzbekistan. And despite having visited all of your countries numerous times, I still always return with a passion to discover more.

Needless to say, Central Asia’s tourism potential is vast. Yet it remains somewhat unrealised. Central Asia is still often painted as “off-the-beaten-path”, up-and-coming destination. This, I feel, is the time to change that.

Tourism currently contributes around 5% of Central Asia’s combined GDP. As in the rest of the world, the sector suffered from the pandemic and is still recovering. There are already strong intra-regional tourist flows, and more and more tourists from Europe, as well as East and Southeast Asia are discovering the marvels of Central Asia. Coordinated regional action, supported by external partnerships, can help unlock the region’s enormous potential. And in this effort, the EU stands ready to work by your side.

This forum is a direct result of our prior cooperation. It is a concrete deliverable of the first-ever EU-Central Asia Summit in April this year, demonstrating joint determination to move from declarations to implementation. While the historic summit set clear priorities for cooperation in resilience, connectivity, and diversification, it also set the stage for deepening cooperation on tourism.

Given how heavily tourism depends on smooth and reliable transport connections, it is highly beneficial that this first Tourism Forum is organised back-to-back with the 3rd EU-Central Asia Economic Forum and the 2nd Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor Investors Forum. This type of multipronged approach provides needed synergy and ensures a coherent regional approach across sectors.

Improved connectivity naturally fuels tourism, and the outcomes of these fora directly support that goal. Investing in transport infrastructure and increasing flight routes and their frequency lowers barriers for travellers seeking to explore new destinations. It is encouraging to see new connections emerge, such as the direct flight between Warsaw and Almaty, set to begin operations in May next year. Removing connectivity bottlenecks and developing tourism corridors – within the region and beyond – lays the foundation of a thriving tourism industry.

Wider political developments also shape the tourism landscape. When Uzbekistan reopened its borders in 2018, travel surged. This is a clear example of how responsive the sector is to policy decisions. In a similar vein, the recent Border Agreement between Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan has significant potential to boost tourism by making cross-border movement easier and more predictable. A more open regional environment enables organic engagement between your countries that will benefit visitors and local communities alike. Initiatives like the Almaty-Bishkek Economic Corridor show what coordinated regional action can achieve, and I hope to see similar progress also around the Fergana valley.

There is also room for a more coordinated effort in tourism promotion. At the moment, Central Asia is becoming more and more closer together. Yet, all five countries approach tourism promotion from their own perspectives. If we consider, for example, the heritage of the ancient Silk Roads, every country in the region has something unique to offer. Working together to provide a cross-border tourist experience could help attract a wider segment of tourists that would bring economic benefits to all of your countries. Together you are stronger than alone.

As your tourism sector grows, it is equally important to ensure that the growth it brings is sustainable. The benefits of developing tourism – job creation, stronger local economies, improved infrastructure, and greater visibility of cultural heritage – are well known. But they should not overshadow the need to develop the sector responsibly. Sustainable tourism must be treated not as a slogan, but a regulatory priority. This means carefully assessing environmental impacts and ensuring that rising visitor numbers do not strain local communities, natural sites, or infrastructure. Only this way can we guarantee that your invaluable natural and cultural heritage will be preserved also for future generations to admire.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the political momentum for cooperation between the EU and Central Asia is at an all-time high. Now is the perfect moment to seize this momentum and build on our deepening relations. The EU and its member states have extensive experience in developing favourable conditions for tourism. We stand by your side, ready to work with you and share our lessons learned.

Finally, I would like to highlight that developing tourism is not just an act of self-centred political or economic interest. Being a tourist teaches us invaluable lessons about our shared humanity. Making the richness of your region more accessible brings our people closer together on a level no official dialogue can fully reach: emotional. And that is to everyone’s benefit.

With these words, I wish you all a productive and thought-provoking day.

Thank you.