Erzurum, Türkiye – April 25, 2025
ECO Secretary General Dr. Asad M. Khan met with H.E. Yerzhan Yerkinbaev, Vice-Minister of Tourism and Sports of Kazakhstan, in Erzurum, the ECO Tourism Capital, to explore opportunities for enhancing regional tourism cooperation.
Praising Kazakhstan’s vital role in the ECO tourism agenda, and emphasizing the country’s diverse cultural heritage and natural attractions, the Secretary General highlighted key ECO initiatives aimed at promoting tourism. He briefed Vice-Minister Yerkinbaev on various ECO tourism activities, including the establishment of an ECO Advisory Committee, and the ECO Tourism Educational Network, an initiative designed to enhance skills and knowledge within the tourism sector across member states.
Vice-Minister Yerkinbaev expressed gratitude for the support from the ECO and reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s dedication to advancing tourism collaboration within the region. Vice-Minister Yerkinbaev further suggested hosting the ECO Tourism Forum in Aktau in September, aimed at uniting stakeholders to discuss effective strategies for boosting tourism across member states. He also proposed nominating Aktau as the ECO Tourism Capital, reinforcing its significance as a central hub for tourism in the region.
The meeting concluded with both parties expressing a strong commitment to furthering cooperation in the tourism sector, recognizing its potential to drive economic growth and foster cultural exchange within the ECO region.
