CC BY
174Sh.B. Toyirova
ECOTOURISM IN UZBEKISTAN: ISSUES AFFECTING ON FUTURE PROSPECTS
Ecotourism has become a major tool for the rising environmental awareness of locals and visitors ensuring long-term sustainability. The tourists are becoming increasingly sophisticated in having meaningful travel experiences including communication with local people, learning their culture, observation of unique ecosystems, flora, and fauna of the untouched areas. Uzbekistan's diverse ecology from mountains to deserts, from deserts to plains can support the country with the great eco-tourism potential. Such opportunities can provide social, environmental and economic benefits to the country when it is comprehensively modified and meets international standards. Secondary data was used to collect information and to have a total image of Uzbekistan's potential in nature-based tourism and the contents were analyzed in accordance with ecotourism principles. The paper reveals that the abundance of natural resources can support ecotourism practices in Uzbekistan and such activities can contribute greater economic and social benefits to the country. Any challenges should not be a barrier to the development of ecotourism in Uzbekistan. Recommendations are provided to promote ecotourism practices in the area.
Key words: ecotourism, environmental impact, sustainability, conservation awareness, nature.
Introduction
Ecotourism is the responsibility of traveling to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustain local people's health, and provide natural education (TIES, 2020). Compared to other types of tourism ecotourism is organized on a smaller scale in order to have a lower impact on the environment. Such activities put less pressure on nature especially, in terms of exploiting both natural and manmade resources (Andrei, 2021). What is quite positive is that ecotourism provides a particular amount of money that can help to conserve the natural beauty of the area (Poon, 1993. WTO, 2003). Revenues also encourage local people to cooperate with the tourism and manage to preserve natural condition of the very place, and this may be push factor to develop tourism sector. Natural area attractions tightly linked to local culture and different types of tourism activities make up a noticeable amount of income in economic activity (Stuave et al, 2002). Stephan Wearing and John Neil suggest (1999) that when there is little hope to save unused land unless they manage to earn from their natural state. Ecotourism seems to be the opportunity of having sustainable development for a country and its local communities. An important component of this concept is that local communities benefit from such incentives. Uzbekistan has a high capacity in developing ecotourism because of its climatic and natural peculiarities. In order to promote future prospects in nature-based tourism in Uzbekistan we should find out proper solutions to existing problems. This paper will examine the ecotourism opportunities of Uzbekistan and barriers eliminating development in this sector.
Research questions:
-What natural resources does Uzbekistan have?
-Can Uzbekistan use its natural resources to promote ecotourism?
-How well these natural opportunities can create positive outcomes for the tourism of Uzbekistan?
-What obstacles may occur while organizing ecotourism activities?
-How these difficulties can be overcome?
Literature review
Understand the concept
There used to have many confusions about the etymology of ecotourism until recently. As an example Orams and Hveegaard (1994) said that the term appeared in the late 1960th, however, in Higgin's (1996) works this term goes to 1970th. Ceballos-Lascurain pointed the phrase going back to 1980th through the work of Thomson (1995). He explained ecotourism as being in uncontaminated and undisturbed natural places with intend to study, enjoying the view and flora, fauna, and cultural heritage of the very place. But from recent days origin of the term is traced back to an even earlier time (Hetzer, 1965). Fennel (1998) mentioned the term "ecotours" that Canadian government organized in the 1970s. These tours were operated around Trans-Canada Highway and this helped to
© Sh.B. Toyirova, 2022.
found different eco zones. The first encounter was found in 1976 (David A.Fennell, 2003). Ecotours occurred long before the 1980s and Blangy and Nielson (1993) mentioned American Museum of Natural History that conducted tours to nature in 1953. Environmental movement stimulated to develop ecotourism during the 1970s and 1980s (Honey, 1999). Mass tourism made governments to find alternative options to attract foreign guests, and countries realized ecotourism to be a good means of having more foreign exchange earnings, but less harmful use of resources.
Initial formal definition of ecotourism belongs to Ceballos-Lascurain (1987). He tried to put an emphasis on a tourist's nature-oriented experience sought and today's definitions mostly directed to principles of sustainable tourism. Nature-based tourism (Wight, 1993) emphasizes natural education.
Ecotourism is...
Visiting almost not disturbed or inviolate places on the purpose of gaining knowledge, having pleasure and enjoying the wildlife of the area with past and present cultural demonstration Ceballos-Lascurain, 1987
Willing to be part of nature, being keen on escaping from everyday day life pressures, watching wildlife before becoming extinct and special interests of activities like kayaking, canoeing, trekking, and birdwatch-ing Whelan,1991
Untouched areas such as wetlands that man-made watercourses can be considered as a place for eco-tours under terms of well presentation and management, this will also can create opportunity to observe wild nature and it can be quite pleasing as well Chirgwin and Hughes 1997
Providing information about alternative areas, routes and activities which can help visitors to be far from much used, both ecologically and culturally sensitive places Moscardo,1998
More than wildlife that depicted on books and more than folk that demonstrated on the walls of hotels, however, this is highly controlled protection of landscapes with helping people's cultural heritage Bran, F . et all,2000
Source: from D.B. Weaver (2000)
Ecotourism contains four basic elements. First, it means traveling or moving from one destination to another. However, the action should be not harmful to the environment. The focus should be directed to experience to natural destinations. Such areas can offer the best view coming across to natural attractions (Ceballos-Lascurain, 1990). Ecotourism is traveling mostly to developing countries especially undisturbed places in the purpose of learning, pleasure or volunteer assistance (Swanson, 1992). This should not limit the general meaning of nature-based tourism, since it can rejuvenate the area. In this case with the help of human activity environment can be contributed and local people will have benefit. Next, ecotourism can influence on increasing concern globally on disappearing ecosystems and different cultures (Kutay, 1990). Finally, this type of tourism is contribution to sustainable future (O'Neill, 1991). All these four elements of ecotourism is based on an educative motif.
Through the years the definition of ecotourism put forward the notion of different nature aspects, communication with local people, and protecting nature. Different principles and concepts by scholars need to be observed thoroughly and evaluate what the ecotourism is. Works on ecotourism by different authors allow readers to follow what criteria have the ecotourism. Miller and Kayne suggest (1993) that shortage and merits of ecotourism should not be found in any label, quality must be prior, the social and environmental human impact should be intensified in an ecological system.
By ecotourism ecotourists can be motivated to learn more about nature, this is their main goal. Ecotourism exists (Thampi, 2001) as a strategy for doing conservation in biodiversity-rich areas. Ecotourism account for numerous inter-related components that should be present in terms of authentic ecotourism to exist. Unlike other types of tourism, ecotourism relies on the usage of resources. Though it is mass, resort-based tourism depends on undeveloped resources such as the oceans and beaches (Weaver 200la). According to Goodwin not every type of nature-oriented tourism is compatible with each other or nature itself. For example, birdwatching and hunting activities focus on different management and based on ca consumptive feature of these activities. To understand
what ecotourism is indeed, variety of approaches are used to define meaning of it (Ziffer, 1998) different descriptive terms are used such as "adventure tourism" "nature tourism" "cultural tourism" and others. Whether be it birdwatching or another activity person address to nature, person's satisfaction comes from observations of nature (Valentine, 1995) and it is hard to imagine this sort of activity without nature observation. Mostly, people like camping, setting tents around bushes rather than roadsides. Thus in such activities nature is an integral part of their activities. There are main concerns about ecotourism contain the need for high qualitative tourism, influence on local people, environmental degradation. All definitions above cannot give totally appropriate image of ecotour-ism.
Ecotourism benefits
People will have a wonderful experience with nature-based tourism. This kind of tourism offers a great deal of facilities that tourists explore unique features of the environment. In this case, both tour operators and local people generate revenues. Particularly, local performances in rural areas rise the interest of foreign people, simultaneously indigenous people preserve their customs. Ecotourism guided tour activities offer various social benefits. Regarding to natural benefits the tourism makes a contribution to conserving natural resources. Ecotourism emphasizes on mostly the quality of natural environment (Matysek and Kriwoken, 2003), protected and preserved areas. Tour operators (Gopal, 2014) are important contributors as environment and culture protectors since they can directly influence consumer choices, supplier practices, and destination development patterns.
In general, ecotourism tours may differ from one country to another relying on the tourism development level and capacity of natural resources, geographical location of the country and business sector responsibilities (Harrison and Schipani, 2007; Rigatti ,2016). For this reason, the business sector can earn a lot of money from ecotourism. Natural resources bring benefits to the economy and local communities generate benefits from tourist activities.
Flora and fauna of a particular area, seas, rivers, forests, and mountains are prior tourist attractions (Ralf Buckley, 2004,) a great number of people visit parks, national parks and reservoirs and they are destinations for both locals, and foreign guests. Many parks use icons attractions which are very popular around the world. Today tourism industry accounts for about $ 500 billion per year (WTO, 2002), and conservation worth $250billion. Thus, America's economy benefits $250 billion per annum. According to NEAT (2000) eco, nature and adventure tourism contain one- third of the economy contribution.
Ecotourism gives the opportunity to view nature even closer than ever before. Eco-tours seem more exciting watching animals than being at a local zoo. Through such activities a person can feel as a part of wildlife, natural habitat. Such interactive way of tourism one exposes to a nature side that there is no other witness option. While participating in ecotourism activities, people learn much, receive an abundance of information about the natural environment. Observing animals in their habitat.
ECOTOURISM
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Preservation of natural areas
I
Managing revenue Providing environmental education Imrohring local people
Conservation (biological diversity, natural resources) Development (infrastructural. economic)
J
Suitainability
"Ecotourism: definition and concepts" Gheorghe CHEIA
Methodology
In this sector the paper aims to cover opinions, thoughts and perception of local governments in different ecotourism venues of Uzbekistan about challenges on being involved in successful ecotourism activities. The data have been collected from published sources and books. The latest articles on ecotourism helped to have a better
understanding of the very type of tourism. In order to find barriers for ecotourism in Uzbekistan different statistical data have been gathered and selected complete information, however, there were many not matching information. In this process selection of information was perplexing. The qualitative method would provide much more price and accurate statistics on the case, however, it was impossible to organize interview people working in the tourism sphere. Thus, research materials mostly based on books, articles and internet resources. What helped me to have final analysis is personal attendance to many places of Uzbekistan. It was easier to find solutions to existing problems with the help of comparing to the places whose ecotourism condition is well-organized. The paper findings were linked with responsibilities and roles of local government in the tourism sector.
Search findings
The following sub-sections will offer better current ecotourism image of Uzbekistan: natural opportunities, ecotourism routes, actual challenges and further steps to do.
Natural opportunities
Thanks to the favorable geographical location Uzbekistan has excellent natural characteristics. The country combines four different climatic zones. Uzbekistan is located in the intersection of East and West, which creates unique climatic feature. Travelers can be surprised by its exoticism such as vast deserts, nature reserves that home to a great number of rare spices of flora and fauna, fantastic mountain ranges and various rivers and lakes. Uzbekistan is far from sea, however, various huge man-made lakes create special beauty to the nature of the country. Much part of Uzbekistan surrounded by plains. One of the largest is the Turanian Plain. The two large deserts Kyzylkum and Karakum stretch for several hundred kilometers throughout the country up to the foot of the Tien Shan. The majestic mountains of Uzbekistan keep many treasures attracting many tourists and extreme lovers who annually storm the high mountain peaks. Beautiful waterfalls, alpine meadows, nature reserves, forest zones, caves, and sites of ancient civilizations-this is not a complete list of what the picturesque mountain regions of the country. Because of continental climate, everything here supported with nature. In Uzbekistan opportunities of protected area are diverse and rich. As for an example, the Ugam-Chatkal natural national park and tugai forests in the delta of the Amu-Darya river, the Kitab reserve recently opened for tourists, testifying to the appearance of life on our planet, the region of "ecological disaster" by the Aral Sea, steppe areas and the Kyzylkum desert, Nurata mountains and Aidarkul lake in the Jizzakh region and many other wonders of the nature. There are 23 natural protected areas, reserves, parks with total area of 20.5 thousand km2 (5% of the entire territory of Uzbekistan).
Ecotourism routes
In Central Asia, Uzbekistan is significantly ahead by the quantity of caves. From early the 70s of the 20th century Uzbekistan carried great number of speleological discoveries including more than 600 caves. Festivalnaya-Ledopadnaya cave system contains Boy-Bulok and Kievskaya caves which are a 16-kilometer labyrinth. Recently, new caves have been discovered in Baysuntau and Surkhantau Ridges. The research was continued in the Dark Star cave, whose depth reached 908m and passage ranges were 17400m. The cave with Boy-Bulok can have the world depth record.
Lake Aidarkul is considered a geographical miracle situates in southeastern edge of Kyzylkum desert. Formerly, excess drainage water from Jizzakh region merged into the depression with the saline soil. In 1969 summer season high flood occurred in Chardarya reservoir and water filled the depression. In the lake appeared a lot of fish. In present day Aidarkul occupies 3000sq km area with 250km length and 15km width. One can see various migratory birds and cormorants, pelicans. Aidarkul offers opportunities such as hiking, horse and camel riding.
In the border of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan situated the Aral Sea which is considered to be a closed lake in Central Asia. In the middle of the 20th century the Aral Sea was the fourth-largest lake in the world with area of 68 thousand km2. Width reached 284 km and length 426 km. 34 fish species lived during the 1970th in Aral Sea. In the 30th of 20th century irrigation canals were started to be built. Water was directed to raise the region's agriculture. This made opportunity to create the second largest cotton plantation. As the result, Aral Sea delicate balance was disturbed. Quickly the Sea became shallow. After some decades the Aral Sea was divided into two parts. The territory was % in 2003 and the volume declined by 90%. Thereafter Kazakhstan began attempting to save the remained part of the Sea. The current condition is directly influencing to the climate of the country. Despite this, tourists ask to make tours to the very place. They are mostly attracted by the amazing view of steep shores, they like to watch the sunset. There one can see the ship graveyard in the former port Muynak. Since it is a long distance, tourists make stops in the wonderful floods of lake Sudochye.
Lake Charvak is another incredible place to visit. This place not only for staying in pretty nice hotels and beaches , but also to have trips along with picturesque surroundings. People mostly like resorts in Chimgan, mountain villages of Yangikurgan, the valleys of the Koksy. Numerous facilities such as hiking, cycling and many others are offered. The opportunity of organizing corporate events is another positive feature of the place.
Actual challenges
One of the excellent advantages of ecotourism is that with taking nature-focused adventure one exposes to new and less popular aspects of nature. With the help of ecotourism, one can have a chance to see some of the
most unique environments and be closer to nature than ever. There are numerous benefits that countries of the world are trying to expand ecotourism in their areas. Since Uzbekistan is a young country, it has limited experience , competence, and market resources in ecotourism. To improve the situation we should figure out the problems and take measures. Uzbekistan is facing to numerous challenges in terms of ecotourism. Firstly, a low quantity of national parks. Countries which are best-known by their ecotourism facilities pay more attention to their national parks. The main principle of these parks is to rely on their own power and self-defense. Secondly, in Uzbekistan 50% of national parks are owned by private sector, while the rest 50% is run by the state. In ecotourism development park reserve model is a bit different: financing these national parks is not government support, but state support. This is widespread in developed countries. Even these half of national parks offer identical packages. Just objects of the display may differ. Most of them located in remote places and when a tourist visits such a long distance with dreaming about having a unique tour, but dissatisfaction might occur because of sameness. In most cases, distance may prevent them from going to natural places. Because tourist season in Uzbekistan mostly in the summer period, thus the weather is not enough supportive, really hot and tourists prefer to visit nearer destinations. Thirdly, a low level of management. Unfortunately, there is no combined-tour packages for long distance tours. In most cases tourists who come with family members cannot find leisure activities for the whole family. It is difficult to find even alternative leisure activities there. Managing transport infrastructure is another issue for the country. The quality of transport service does not always meet the need of tourists, additionally some road conditions badly needed improving. Recently, in the vocabulary of employees of travel companies in Uzbekistan, the concept of "off season" has often appeared. Unfortunately, we have it not only in winter, but also summer months as well. When all Europe traditionally goes to rest, there is a lull in the hotels of Uzbekistan. In the midst of summer holidays, the number of tourists in Uzbekistan sometimes does not exceed several dozen. The absence of their influx is usually motivated by climatic conditions. However, as you know, neither high temperature nor humidity does not stop tourists visiting Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and other hot countries. The study shows that the product on the market tourist services covers no more than 10% of the generally recognized attractions located in the traditional tourist centers of the country. (A. Ablaizov,2019) at the same time, in neighboring Kazakhstan where there are significantly fewer historical and architectural attractions than in Uzbekistan the flow of tourists is steadily increasing. Tour operators in Kazakhstan actively offer popular ecological tours. Wide variety of routes are offered including hiking , biking, river rafting. Tours on nature in Uzbekistan practically are not used. Finally, local people do not use opportunity of organizing eco tours. They have no knowledge how to organize and no special training programs to motivate people. Lack of practical and theoretical knowledge creates low level of specialists in the industry, this in turn affects negatively on tourism flow.
Further steps to do
According to Uzbekistan International Visitor Economy Survey 2014 with The World Tourism Organization tourists' most complains were about inconveniences. In order to eliminate the negative image of tourism in Uzbekistan, all tourism types should be modified. Before promoting ecotourism in the country several improvements should be done.
❖Thoroughly study experience and advanced technologies of developed countries in the field of ecotour-
ism
-It is very important for any country that is willing to develop ecotourism systematic approaches and sophisticated solutions for nature-based tourism of developed countries. The international recommendation is needed in making the right decisions. Their experience will definitely be useful any developing country whose goal is to have promising ecotourism.
❖Attract both local and foreign investment
To promote ecotourism more and more investment is required. Mostly for projects directed to improve the level of sustainability. The partnership is needed in order to manage ecotourism related development initiatives
❖Improve infrastructure (transport infrastructure including quality of transport service, road conditions, railway, and airport )
Tourism destinations should be accessible. This in turn, demand for improving road and transport conditions. Establishing communication networks is very important.
❖Government investment
❖Establish partnership with local people (Local people know ecological situation of the place better and they might have wonderful ideas )
❖Create recreational facilities in the areas(such as bike trails, roller skates, walking paths )
❖Train specialists in the field (they should have qualification in this sector. Some enterprises do not spend money on training employees)
❖Create combined tours(tourists will be unable to see many destinations)
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Such packages will create the opportunity to have more facilities and make tourists come to the place again and again. For example, people may have bird watching, traditional meal preparation activities, and dinner together, and bonfires in visiting villages.
❖Create modern communication(successfully use modern technologies to promote the areas which give opportunity to have more accurate information)
Private sectors should be supported more by the Uzbek government, especially working with foreign partners who have enough experience. Working with foreign experts will guarantee future prospects for all tourism sectors. Moreover, with financing them the country generates money, and an even greener and favorable place appears. Learning success strategies of developed countries in ecotourism will definitely be beneficial. With training programs people be fully aware of environment, how their actions can influence and understand sustainability. Educating people is important. This can be wonderful chance of creating various tour packages rather than monotony of tourist product. Uzbekistan has great potential to promote ecotourism including mountain tourism, steppes, and deserts tourism and many others. With definite strategies the country will have its fantastic ecotourism destinations.
Conclusion
The concept of ecotourism currently is not accepted as just being in natural areas, it is more than this, it is about protecting the whole planet. This remains a major conservation strategy combining benefits of economy and further protection of biodiversity of world countries. This is one of the widely growing spheres of tourism. Today, 10%of demand directed to this form of tourism. Modern tourists are willing to explore not just chosen location with nature, but they learn something new from this. Uzbekistan's diverse ecology from deserts to glaciers, from mountains to valleys supports the country with great eco- tourism potential. Such opportunities are plentiful and distinct including natural wildlife breeding center, national parks and state reserves. Though Uzbekistan has a high potential being one of the best ecotourism hubs, still many obstacles in the field that should be paid more attention. Current tour operators can hardly promote ecotourism in the country accepting many barriers. Infrastructure of ecotourism in Uzbekistan should be comprehensively modified and has risen to international standards. With such abundance of natural resources neither climate nor other challenges should be barrier for the country's ecotourism. Instead, summer heat in Uzbekistan can also be used as a kind of brand.
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TOYIROVA SHOHISTA BOBOBEKOVNA - 2nd year Master student, Silk Road International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage.
