Kyrgyz president reviews Utah ski resort expansion during US visit

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has reviewed plans for the large-scale expansion of the Deer Valley ski resort in Utah during his working visit to the United States, as Bishkek seeks to develop world-class year-round mountain tourism.

Japarov was briefed on plans to create a new four-season resort complex featuring modern hotel, residential, sports and tourism infrastructure, Caliber.Az reports via Kyrgyz media. 

The project places emphasis on comprehensive mountain planning, modern architecture, international hotel brands and private investment, as well as the sustainable use of water and other natural resources. Japarov also examined measures to preserve the natural landscape and develop infrastructure capable of operating throughout the year.

He said Utah’s experience was particularly relevant to Kyrgyzstan, which has significant potential for mountain and year-round tourism.

“Kyrgyzstan has grand ambitions in the field of tourism. Our goal is not simply to build individual ski resorts, but to create world-class resorts around which entire regions will develop, bringing modern hotels, restaurants, a thriving service sector, new jobs, and investment. They must be attractive year-round, both to our citizens and to visitors from around the world,” he said.

Japarov highlighted the Ala-Too Resort, an all-season mountain cluster under construction in the Issyk-Kul region, as one of the country’s first major projects of this kind.

“I am once again convinced that we have chosen the right direction. ‘Ala-Too Resort’ is set to become a world-class resort and one of the driving forces behind the development of the entire Issyk-Kul region. But from the very beginning, we must do everything to world-class standards: from master planning and architecture to water use, energy, transportation, waste management, and nature conservation. We must treat the wealth we’ve been given with care and prevent the haphazard development of our unique places,” he said.

According to Japarov, the Ala-Too project is intended to serve as the starting point for developing modern tourism clusters in other parts of Kyrgyzstan.

The country plans to study tourism practices in the United States, Europe, Asia and neighbouring states, while seeking to attract international developers, hotel chains, investment, technology and management expertise.

Japarov instructed relevant government agencies to study Utah’s approach to comprehensive mountain development and consider applying suitable solutions to tourism projects in Kyrgyzstan, including mechanisms for attracting international hotel brands and investors.

“Kyrgyzstan is one of the most beautiful mountainous countries in the world. Now our task is to learn how to competently and carefully transform this natural advantage into a high-quality tourism product. We must strive to make Kyrgyzstan one of the most attractive year-round tourist destinations in our region and secure its place on the global tourism map,” he said.

By Sabina Mammadli