Madrasa, Bukhara

AN ANCIENT DESTINATION WITH A NEW IMAGE

Bukhara enjoys a history dating back at least 2500 years, and a treasure of classic monuments neatly contained within the "old" city. Boasting a fortress, museums, a large and a small minaret, an ancient bathhouse, trading domes, and numerous richly decorated mosques and madrasas, the city belongs on every sightseer’s list. Yet somehow, Bukhara has escaped the attention of tourists, with the exception of those who travel the Silk Route, either individually or in tour groups. Located on the Silk Route, the historic trading road between Europe and China, Bukhara seems to have taken second position to Samarkand in tourism development.

Backpackers and Adventure Tour Operators such as MIR, Geographic Expeditions, Russia Tours and Abercrombie and Kent, found their way to Bukhara on classic Silk Road expeditions. The town responded to the need of those travelers for more authentic accommodations with a flurry of activity. Behind the austere walls of the old city’s winding ally ways, enthusiastic entrepreneurs converted homes into Bed & Breakfast accommodations, while the daring ones built entirely new establishments. Scattered throughout the old city one can now choose from about a dozen charming B&B’s, ranging in size from 5 to 16 double rooms, mostly with private baths.

PROGRAM OUTLINE

At the initial association meeting the topics for seminars and workshops were identified. Seminars dealt primarily with concepts, workshops were more focussed and interactive with an emphasis on problem solving. Seminar outlines were prepared for the participants, as well as relevant handouts. Seminars were scheduled in the mornings for a two-hour presentation, workshops were held for three hours in the afternoon. In between the presentations and after the workshops, members were encouraged to schedule individual consultations.

Bukhara has positive marketing potential. It has a rich inventory of untapped resources that extend way beyond sightseeing. The Karakir Wildlife Preserve covers a large area of several lakes that go by the same name. The lakes attract a variety of wildlife, wild geese, hawks, falcons, fox, wild boar, gazelle – truly a hunters’ paradise. Tall grasses line the lakes, mountain ranges and hills to the north and east of the Preserve define the landscape and invite hiking or photography. It’s an ideal area to test out the first camel treks.

RESOURCE INVENTORY

The regions inventory of resources was identified, as well as the activities that can be developed for adventure and specialty tourism. Programs were identified for development and within the first two weeks three committees were formed. People volunteered for committee assignments and in turn had appointed appropriate committee members to work on the marketing projects. The three primary projects are the "Silk & Spice Festival," The Camel Treks and other outdoor programs, and the development of a brochure.

ARCHAEOLOGY

        Varaksha Ruins

        Chor Bakr - Archaeological Restoration

        Tudakul Lake

        Nurata Mountains/Petrographs

        Emir Summer Palace and Tim Abdulla Khan

An October annual event featuring vendors and merchants from the region, arts and crafts, parades and theatre performances.