Best in Travel 2021 by Lonely Planet
Spearheaded by the Kazakhstan Tourism Association, rural villagers are trained in hospitality to provide homestays for tourists while acquiring fresh economic opportunities for themselves.
Kazakhstan is having a moment. Revived interest in the Silk Road legacy of Central Asia has helped the nation step out from behind a curtain of relative travel anonymity to become something of a sought-after destination.
And while the Kazakhstan Tourism Association is keen to welcome more foreign visitors, scalability and community empowerment are paramount to their ambitions, having seen other destinations struggle with strained infrastructures.
As such, it’s launched an initiative to pair local tour operators with village families for homestays, providing travelers with authentic Kazakh experiences whilst stimulating the economic livelihood of the rural population. The Association trains hosts in hospitality, helping them to make their modest family homes and traditional yurts both comfortable and up to par.
Host-led activities then give travelers an authentic glimpse of Kazakh culture with horseback riding through the vast golden steppe, nature walks, village tours and cooking lessons all available. So whether a traveler is learning to make beshbarmak (horsemeat or mutton with thick noodles and onions) or watching a lute dombra (Kazakh lute) performance, they know that their money is going directly to the community.
“Feeling welcome when you arrive in a country where you don't know the language, traditions and culture is essential to make your mark. This is one of the reasons why I decided to do a homestay in a village in north Kazakhstan. It was a more intimate way to discover this country and its customs, which also requires a great openness and a willingness to share with others. It was the best decision.”
— GAËL A. BOKONGO,TRAVELER WHO STAYED IN A HOMESTAY IN KAZAKHSTAN
What’s more, staying in rural villages often means that Kazakhstan’s magnanimous natural wonders are located close by. From the southeastern village of Saty, for instance, and it’s only a short drive to the Kolsai Lakes, a trio of picturesque natural mountain reservoirs where canoeing and mountainside hiking trails beckon.
This new model doesn’t just improve conditions for those living in remote mountain regions, it also prevents new developments from springing up in environmentally sensitive areas by utilizing existing accommodation and local residents, and lessening the impact on communities. Kazakhstan it seems, is ready for the spotlight.
By Travis Levius
Source: Lonely Planet
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