(Determination of Tourism Potential for Business: Example of Kyrgyzstan)

Abstract

Purpose – Kyrgyzstan is a country with rich natural and social assets, as well as unique natural beauties, that allow the execution of different types of tourism. For businesses in Kyrgyzstan to operate effectively and efficiently, the current potential needs to be analyzed and determined accurately. It is also aimed to guide the sustainable tourism model to be created specifically to Kyrgyzstan for the companies that will invest. Design/methodology/approach – For this purpose, the data is obtained from public, private sector employees, academicians and graduate students by the questionnaire. It was analysed with SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) method. Findings – As a result of the analysis, it is understood that the strongest aspect of Kyrgyzstan is traditional guest loving, the weakest point is the infrastructural deficiency, the opportunity is the virgin natural structure, the threat is the possibility of destruction of natural resources and the environment. According to the research, it was determined that four parties (public employee, private sector employee, academician, graduate student) both had an idea about opportunities and strengths, and had a close opinion about weak and threats. Discussion – The fact that virgin natural structure, which is considered as an opportunity for Kyrgyzstan, is considered as a threat at the same time appears as an important point that the companies planning to invest should pay attention to.