OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL TOURISM

In 2015, one of the members of the Kyrgyz delegation from Kyrgyzstan who traveled to Chelan County was an owner of an ecotourism business in Barskoon, Issyk-Kul Province.  The business owner met Josh Jorgensen, one of the members of our organization and the general manager of Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort, and they discussed ideas of common interest.
The following year, Josh traveled to Kyrgyzstan with his son as part of a delegation of our organization's members from Chelan County.  Josh, his son, and the other members of the delegation met with the ecotourism business owner and he led them on a hike to a waterfall and a horseback riding excursion in the foothills of the nearby mountains.
Here are some photographs from those excursions:
The owner is interested in growing his business oriented to individuals who are willing to pay for unique adventure experiences done in an environmentally sensitive way.
Our delegation members also visited the Karakol Ski Base area on that trip, the off-season, but seeing the facilities and potential opportunities for its future.  Here is a photo from the ski area's website, accessed here:
Through the experiences and professional knowledge shared between the members of our organization and Kyrgyz business owners, we hope to help Kyrgyzstan continue to develop their beautiful country in a positive, sustainable way.