On June 27, 2025, the public association “DMO Karakalpakstan,” together with the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), held a meeting of the Coordination Council on Tourism Development in the Republic of Karakalpakstan at the “Massaget” hotel in Nukus.
The event was attended by representatives of government bodies, experts, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and members of the Council.
The meeting was opened with welcoming remarks by the Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Mr. R. Zarikeev, and the Director of DMO Karakalpakstan, Mr. M. Kosnazarov.
One of the key points on the agenda was a presentation by DMO Karakalpakstan on international experience in tourism development.
Participants were introduced to successful global practices in sustainable and inclusive tourism, digital transformation, and community engagement — including Community-Based Tourism (CBT) in Kyrgyzstan and Indonesia, the “Pueblos Mágicos” program in Mexico, sustainable tourism projects in Tunisia, and the CST certification in Costa Rica.
Special attention was given to the global agenda on digitalizing the tourism sector and the upcoming session of the UN General Assembly on Tourism, which will focus on the role of artificial intelligence in transforming tourism.
During the meeting, a draft roadmap for the development of the tourism sector in Karakalpakstan was also discussed.
It was presented by the legal consultant of DMO Karakalpakstan, Mr. A. Seytakhov. Participants shared proposals to improve the regulatory framework and develop CBT tourism, which could become a key area for the region.
As a result of the discussion, the Council identified priority areas of work for the next quarter and developed initiatives for cooperation with public and private stakeholders. Special attention was paid to planning the next meeting and the need for further integration of international experience into regional practice.
The meeting concluded in an atmosphere of constructive dialogue and a shared desire to make tourism in Karakalpakstan more sustainable, innovative, and focused on the interests of local communities.
