TOURISM IN KYRGYZSTAN - Tourism in Central Asia: Cultural Potential and Challenges - page 280

CONCLUSION
Shortly after independence, an American diplomat would say the follow-
ing about Kyrgyzstan: “… a good President [Akaev] … beautiful moun-
tains … then what? The Kyrgyz are lucky enough to have an enlightened
President and splendid mountains, but they have nothing else” (Capisani,
2000). This rather realistic comment had a tone of pessimism in it but
that “enlightened President” allowed the functioning of an environment in
which economic, political, cultural, and religious rights and freedoms were
more extensive as compared to other Central Asian countries (Pomfret,
2006). It may be suggested that although eventually Akaev turned out to
be authoritarian and ousted by a popular riot, he set up an example and left
behind a legacy in terms of democratization. Today, despite all sources of
domestic instability, the country “retains a considerable degree of social
pluralism and a more open political space than any of its Central Asian
neighbors” (Anderson, 1999). Kyrgyzstan is also doing much better in
terms of development of civil society (Kasybekov, 1999; Marat 2010;
McMann, 2004).
In terms of economic conditions, Kyrgyzstan has its own advantages
as well, despite all odds. It has a “relatively free market economy … and
vibrant markets” (Pomfret, 2006). It has also been suggested by specialists
in the international financial community that it is easier to work with the
Kyrgyz officials due to their “supportive attitude” (Olcott, 2005). Further-
more, in Kyrgyzstan, environmental problems are not as severe as other
postcommunist countries, not posing “immediate threats to human health
or sustainable development” (The World Bank, 1993).
Kyrgyzstan has the potential of using such comparative advantages in
the field of tourism. However, in order to be more successful in the sector,
certain major steps need to be taken. First of all, as was mentioned be-
fore, the legal infrastructure of the country has to be strengthened. To that
end, a comprehensive tourism law has to be adopted in order to provide
a comprehensive and coordinated legal framework. The tourism sector
has a complex structure and is influenced by laws on transportation, cus-
toms, land use, environmental protection and trade (Kızılırmak and Oktay,
2008). Therefore, such a framework would provide a smoother legal envi-
ronment for the tourism sector.
Likewise to make “an integrative and comprehensive development
plan” for the future of the sector is of utmost importance (Kantarcı, 2007a).