Bishkek, May 27, 2026 /Kabar/. Eduard Kubatov, Director of the State Agency for Tourism Development under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, spoke about the prospects for developing tourism cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and China, noting the potential of mountaineering and the expansion of air travel.
According to him, Chinese mountaineering is demonstrating steady growth, including the development of women's sports, and a high level of cooperation in this area has already been established between Kyrgyzstan and China.
"I want to say that Chinese mountaineering is currently experiencing rapid growth, and very strong athletes are emerging, climbers from China, not only among men but also among women. We have a very good level of communication. The mountaineering system between China and Kyrgyzstan has very close working and athletic ties. I believe we should all learn from the experience of cooperation, friendship, and communication in the sporting community, particularly in mountaineering. When we talk about the center of Eurasia, all the highest mountain ranges are concentrated here—the Tien Shan, Pamir, Kunlun, Tibet, the Himalayas, Karakoram, and Hindu Kush. Therefore, we have the greatest prospects in everything—in terms of mountain tourism, mountaineering, and tourism in general," he said.
He also discussed the development of tourism infrastructure, in particular the expansion of air travel between the countries.
"The opening of new airlines is a key factor in the development of tourism. We believe that the true tourism potential between Kyrgyzstan and China requires at least 10 flights per day. Unfortunately, we currently have 10-12 flights per week. Starting July 17, global player Air China will join this network; they will fly three times per week. A direct flight from Bishkek to Beijing will provide a significant boost to tourism development,” Kubatov stated.
He also noted issues related to the development of tourism exchanges between Kyrgyzstan and China.
“The second issue is visas. We must work to facilitate and create conditions for the flow of tourists from China to Kyrgyzstan, not only to Kyrgyzstan but also to Central Asia, and for our tourists to visit China. Tourism is a two-way street. We can never attract a large number of tourists if our citizens don't travel around the world. Therefore, we must give something in order to receive tourists,” he said.
Speaking about prospects, he noted the high interest from China and the growing tourist appeal of Kyrgyzstan in the regional context. "The prospects are enormous. I believe we are extremely interesting for China. China's economy is developing so rapidly, and its middle class is now a very significant driver of global tourism potential. Therefore, we are looking forward to Chinese tourists, and I think we will always be of interest. But overall, we must understand that Kyrgyzstan as a tourist destination will always be interesting within the framework of Central Asia—this includes mutual tourist flows between Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan. The "one trip, three countries" format is currently developing globally, and in this regard, Central Asia is one of the most interesting destinations," Kubatov noted.
He also described the structure of Kyrgyzstan's tourism sector, noting the key role of nature and mountain tourism.
"When we talk about the structure of Kyrgyz tourism, 60% is everything related to the mountains: alpine skiing, trekking, hiking, horseback riding, and mountaineering. And 40% is everything related to Issyk-Kul: recreational, beach, and sports tourism. "Therefore, there are many interesting things for China to see, including a visit to Bishkek, cultural tourism, historical sites, and the mountains. "In general, the main attraction for tourists from all over the world is our incredible, pristine nature—mountains, lakes, and rivers," he concluded.