Union of Turkic Ski Resorts established to boost winter tourism cooperation

The inaugural meeting of the Union of Turkic Ski Resorts took place on September 23, 2024, at the Secretariat of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Istanbul.

Chaired by OTS Deputy Secretary General Mirvokhid Azimov, the meeting brought together key representatives from prominent ski resorts, including Rustam Najafov of Azerbaijan's Shahdag Mountain Resort, Rinat Abdrakhmanov of Kazakhstan's Shymbulak Ski Resort, Rustam Raimjanov of Uzbekistan's Amirsoy Mountain Resort, and Burak Beceren from Türkiye's Uludag Ski Resort, Caliber.Az reports.

In his opening remarks, Azimov highlighted the vital role of collaboration in winter tourism, noting the rich natural resources of Turkic nations. He referenced commitments made during the 2022 Meeting of Ministers in Charge of Tourism in Shamakhi, Azerbaijan, aimed at fostering cooperative initiatives in the sector.

A significant outcome of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing the Union of Turkic Ski Resorts. This initiative seeks to promote ski tourism by creating a collaborative platform for member resorts, encouraging joint projects, and sharing best practices.

Participants discussed plans for unified marketing strategies to position the resorts as a cohesive winter tourism destination, including initiatives like a common subscription system, a shared calendar of events, and the annual Turkic Countries Ski and Snowboard Cup.

Shahdag Mountain Resort was appointed to hold the Union’s inaugural chairmanship, with Orkhan Badalov named Secretary General for a two-year term. The Union is also open to expanding its membership to additional ski resorts in the region, aiming to enhance infrastructure and improve visitor experiences across Turkic states.

By Vafa Guliyeva