Silk Road to develop tourism “corridors”
Tourism and cultural authorities from countries along the Silk Road have committed to the creation of ‘Heritage Corridors’ along the ancient trading route.
Following the 3rd Silk Road Ministers’ Meeting, held at last week’s ITB travel trade show in Berlin, represented countries agreed to a range of cross-border initiatives aimed at promoting tourism and safe-guarding the region’s cultural heritage.
Ministers and Vice Ministers of Tourism from more 20 Silk Road countries attended the event, along with international experts and representatives from the UNWTO and UNESCO. Following the meeting, the UN announced plans to create joint UNWTO-UNESCO ‘Silk Road Heritage Corridors’. These corridors will seek to establish cross-border tourism routes, facilitated by improved visa policies and border crossings.
In this regard, Tajikistan announced the opening of the Kulma Pass, on the border with China, to international visitors, while Kazakhstan stated its intention to pursue a visa-free Central Asia.