ECOTOURISM IN CENTRAL KAZAKHSTAN:
CONSERVATION OF THE PA NATURAL RESOURCES AND CREATION OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES IN THE RURAL AREAS

TRAINING WORKSHOPS ON ECOLOGICAL TOURISM,
TALDYSAI, 29 NOVEMBER - 4 DECEMBER 2010

The training workshops, dedicated to practical issues of ecotourism, as well as production of felt souvenirs, were held from November 29 through December 4 in Taldysai village of Ulytau district in the framework of activities aimed at widening the circle of participants of the sphere of ecotourism services  in Central Kazakhstan, such as guest-houses, tour guides and craftsmen, producing souvenirs.

The workshops mentioned  were organized in the framework of the GEF/UNDP Small grants programme project "Ecotourism in Central Kazakhstan: conservation of the PA Natural resources and creation of Economic opportunities in the rural areas", implemented by Avalon Public Foundation in cooperation with Karaganda Ecological museum.

Seventeen residents of the communities of Taldysai and Ulytau took part in the workshop, dedicated to the practical issues of ecotourism. The education modules, which had been worked out in the framework of project "Ecological tourism and public awareness in Central Kazakhstan", were also used in the course of workshop organization. After being used in practice during year 2010, the modules were optimized and improved with due account for the local conditions. Some educational modules were worked out by the project group additionally in order to highlight the issues, which had not been covered but are of use for working in this sphere.

In conclusion, the workshop participants familiarized themselves with ecotourism practical activities in following areas: “Foundations of ecotourism”, “Peculiarities of services in ecotourism”, "Peculiarities of establishing a guesthouse", “Practical course for a local guide”, "Local community organization", "Price setting", “Marketing in ecotourism”, "Marketing of the promotional merchandise" and "Foundations of entrepreneurship".

In the course of the workshop, dedicated to the production of felt souvenirs, its 9 participants, representing the communities of Taldysai and Ulytau, were taught the basic skills of felting, as well as were trained to produce baby's bootees, slippers for adults, bathroom sets, children toys, various accessories and decorations. The workshop was held by the master in felt articles production Valentina Zhakupbekova (Korgalzhyn settlement).

* The felt articles, produced in the framework of the ecotourism development projects in Central Kazakhstan, can be purchased in the souvenir shop of the Tourist information center, located to the following address: 47, Bukhar Zhyrau avenue, Karaganda city (Ecomuseum).