Tourism Tough Going in Tajikistan

Bad roads, and undeveloped tourist infrastructure and lack of services remain a deterrent to foreigners thinking of sampling Tajikistan’s natural beauty and long history. 

Although this tends to rule out all but the most hardened travellers, the government and tourist agents are taking steps to create a more comfortable experience for the visitor.

Davlat Habibov, head of the government’s tourism development department, says a four-year national programme has been approved to attract more visitors. The authorities have eased tourist visa procedures and the rules requiring non-nationals to report their address to the authorities, and are planning to put more money into infrastructure projects. 

The audio programme, in Russian and Tajik, went out on national radio stations in Tajikistan, as part of IWPR project work funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.