Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 8 takes an interesting turn by exploring how cinema can be
used to aid in branding a destination. The author, Yessenova, states that
her article examines a particular cinema project: the epic film “Nomad”
(2005). A grandiose state-sponsored endeavor, this film was designed to
introduce Kazakhstan, its people, and its history to the world and to brand
the country as a creative modern economy. Tragically once it was released,
“Nomad” made little or no splash in the public consciousness becoming
unsuccessful not only internationally, but also domestically. It left the
query 'why did this costly cinematic effort fail?' This article specifically
addresses the question: at what juncture of conception or production did
the film lose its viewers? To this end the author discusses the film's story
situating it within both Kazakh past and present cultural milieus so as to
explain both the state's branding choices and missed opportunities.
In Chapter 9, Develioglu and Kantarci use the World Economic Fo-
rum's “Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index” to map out how the Silk
Road countries can be more competitive and sustainable in the long run.
More specifically, they cluster and compare the countries based on Travel
& Tourism Competitiveness Index variables. Cluster analyzes revealed
that two clusters can be derived as a result. Diffusion of clusters imply
that Cluster 1 countries mostly consist of Central Asian Countries, whose
competitiveness performance have been found relatively lower compared
to Cluster 2 countries.
Next, in Chapter 10, Horák details some of the red tape and bureau-
cratic challenges associated with the current development of tourism in
Central Asia. Many issues are examined such as challenges with obtaining
travel visas, problems associated with the registration of foreigners, and
other bureaucratic inefficiencies as well. The chapter uses observations
and unstructured interviews at Central Asian border crossings to illustrate
some of these challenges. Such challenges need to be understood and miti-
gated in order for development in the region to reach its fullest potential.
For Chapter 11, Akcali describes the opportunities and obstacles as-
sociated with further developing the tourism sector in post-Soviet Kyrgyz-
stan. The first portion of the chapter provides a synopsis of the Kyrgyzstan
from geographic, economic and social perspectives. The latter portion of
the chapter addresses how these macro and situational forces provide both
opportunities and obstacles for the nation's tourism development efforts.
This chapter communicates to readers the rich and promising potential
pertaining to tourism development in Kyrgyzstan.
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