Osh, Jalal-Abad, Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan – From May 26 to 29, 2024, in the Osh and Jalal-Abad regions, and from June 5 to 6, 2024, in the Issyk-Kul region, specialized trainings for guides in adventure and mountain tourism were held. This important event offered participants a valuable opportunity to expand their knowledge and enhance their professional skills. The training was organized by UNDP Kyrgyzstan in partnership with the FSDS Public Foundation and supported by the Government of Finland.

The main goal of the training was to teach participants practical skills in adventure and mountain tourism, as well as the basics of first aid in mountainous conditions. A variety of methods were used to achieve the objectives, including presentations, individual and group work, practical exercises, and feedback sessions.

One of the participants, Nurtalaai, shared her impressions, saying that the knowledge she gained would greatly help her in her professional career as a guide. She emphasized the importance of first aid in the mountains:

"During the training, we learned about different types of adventure tourism, how to recognize early symptoms of altitude sickness, and how to properly respond and provide first aid before getting the tourist to a medical specialist."

Nurtalaai has just begun working as a guide. Previously, she helped her family, who run a traditional yurt camp business. Representing Kyrgyzstan to visitors is a great honor for her.

Another participant, Aruuke, reflected on her experience, saying: "As a working guide, I used to overlook some things, like the importance of guide ethics. These small details can significantly enhance the comfort and safety of our guests. I realized that we need to continuously learn and refresh our knowledge because the guide is often the first person tourists meet, and their impressions are shaped not just by the country, but by its people."

In addition, participants shared their successful and unsuccessful experiences, discussing how to prevent issues and how to better prepare tourists for challenging treks. In practice sessions, experts helped strengthen skills in navigation, develop strategies for mountain trekking, and deepen the understanding of key aspects of adventure tourism.

UNDP is implementing the fifth phase of the "Aid for Trade in Central Asia" project funded by the Government of Finland. The project supports Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan in achieving inclusive and sustainable growth through promoting "green" value chains and enhancing the competitiveness of the three economies.