Kyrgyzstan & World Nomad Games Sep 2018

Planet

Kyazakhstan is a country where 'green' policies and principles are not exactly buzz words so it's all about the little things adding up to slowly start to make a difference. We are always talking to our local ground agents about the importance of stressing to clients the importance of basic responsible principles such as appropriate waste disposal, not to waste water, turning off lights on leaving the room in hotels, not replacing towels and bedding daily etc.

Our local agents use paper sparingly and once fully used it is recycled. Wherever possible they use paper bags rather than plastic and use energy saving light bulbs in their offices. They also take part in community rubbish clearing days. They are also keen to stress to visitors the importance of not straying from marked trails at historic sites, an important step towards maintaining the sites for future generations.

As a company we have introduced responsible practices in our UK office including paper, cardboard, aluminium and plastic recycling. We also support local UK charities including the RNIB and various charities around the world. 50% of our office staff use public transport (bus and train) and cycle to work. Management encourages this with their introduction of the cycle to work scheme which offers subsidised cycle ownership.

People

By the very nature of life in Kazakhstan all services are provided by local Kazakh people. This includes your local English-speaking group guides and drivers and hotel staff. All staff are paid a fair wage for Kazakhstan and all wages are kept within the local communities thereby supporting local people. Furthermore, by visiting these hotels and sites additional income is brought into the region, further helping to develop the local area.

Almost all meals are included on the itinerary and food is sourced locally whether it is served in hotels or a local restaurant.

Each year before the start of the peak tourist season our local agents run training seminars for the local community programmes to check the quality of their services based on previous years client feedback. This allows the local community operators to ensure their service standard is suitable for international travelers.

The World Nomad Games themselves provides an important outlet for expressing the central Asian traditional way of life. Without the Games many of these traditions could die out - the Games provides the opportunity for the international community to learn and understand more about these unique sports and events. The entrance fee payable for each client to attend the Games is an important source of revenue for the festival allowing the festival committee to run the Games as a biennial event.

Possibly one of the key positive benefits of visiting Kazakhstan is the albeit sometimes small influence outside attitudes and cultures can make on the people of the country. Kazakhstan people are always welcoming and friendly and keen to learn a little about Western ways, and vice versa. This vacation helps to allow each culture to learn a little about the other which should hopefully encourage tolerance between Kazakhstan and the outside world.