Support of Tourism Sector/Handicraft Development

Programme description

Title: Support of Tourism Sector/Handicraft Development (through development workers)
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) (BMZ)
Land: Tajikistan
Lead executing agency: Committee of Youth Affairs, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Tajikistan
Overall term: 2007 to 2015

Tajikistan. Lake Ay-Kul. (Photo: Martin Lenk) © GIZ

Context

Tajikistan’s economy is the least developed of the post-Soviet states. Economic growth is very low and in many ways dependent on external factors. The problem is compounded by the large number of workers migrating to Russia, as the Tajik labour market offers only limited employment opportunities. Being service-oriented, tourism is one of the most job-intensive economic sectors, as the possibilities of replacing people with technology are extremely limited. Tourism also offers a number of jobs that require low- or medium-level qualifications, giving people with little training or education in particular the opportunity to earn an income and opt for further training. The country has so far had only limited experience of different types of modern tourism that build on Tajikistan’s natural and cultural potential.

Objective

Key stakeholders and organisations in the tourism sector are in a position to offer professional and competitive advisory services. The political and economic conditions have been created to facilitate the development of the tourism sector.

Tajikistan. Alaudin Lakes. (Photo: Martin Lenk) © GIZ

Approach

Trained and experienced development workers are assigned to selected organisations that are relevant to the development of tourism and handicrafts in Tajikistan. Their work is financed by the Study and Expert Fund. In their role as advisors, they have a systematic impact on the organisational structure and assume a range of tasks related to the development of tourism:

  • implementing measures to market Tajikistan as a tourist destination;
  • supporting the organisational development of tourism associations and umbrella organisations;
  • implementing training measures for companies engaged in tourism aimed at service quality, hygiene and safety, marketing and business activities;
  • supporting the development of craftspeople in Tajikistan;
  • training craftspeople in marketing, product quality and export procedures;
  • promoting the economic development of the tourism sector and making Tajikistan more accessible to investors and tourists;
  • developing tourist potential as the driver of income generation and employment in the country.

In addition to various line ministries, the key project partners are: the Tajik Association of Tourism Organisations (TATO), Zerafshan Tourism Development Association (ZTDA), Tourism Development Center (TDC).

Results achieved so far

Committee of Youth Affairs, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Tajikistan: implementation of international measures to market Tajikistan as a tourist destination; setting up of the national tourism working group; drawing up of a work schedule for public and private stakeholders and for international organisations.

Zerafshan Tourism Development Association (ZTDA): support for organisational development; implementation of several training measures for companies engaged in tourism aimed at service quality, hygiene and safety; training in marketing and business administration for tourist service providers (guides, drivers, private accommodation providers); product development; national and international marketing.

Tourism Development Center (TDC): support to the organisational development of the Union of Artisans in Tajikistan; accompanying several Tajik handicraft entrepreneurs to the Bazaar Berlin trade fair; training for craftspeople in marketing, product quality and export procedures; development of sales outlets for the export of Tajik handicrafts.