Tourism is one of the most dynamically developing industries and a driver of economic growth in the modern world. Its role goes far beyond the service sector, having a significant impact on the social, economic, and cultural spheres of society. Today, tourists increasingly value unique experiences, authenticity, and eco-friendliness of travel, which leads to the emergence of new segments of the tourism market, such as ecotourism, cultural and event tourism.

Mountain tourism is given a special place in this industry, as it combines an active lifestyle with the opportunity to enjoy natural beauty and make unforgettable impressions. Ski resorts offer a wide range of services, from skiing to wellness treatments and entertainment for the whole family. 

On November 22, the Eurasian Alliance of Mountain Resorts held a press conference as part of the Silk Road Tourism exhibition held in the capital, dedicated to the results of its activities for the first year and a half, the main areas of which were the development of a common innovative platform for IT services, the introduction of a system of unified high-quality standards for the provision of tourism services, the organization of the work of a corporate university, and the formation of an interstate tourist route based on the creation of regional mountain clusters.

Eurasian Alliance of Mountain Resorts includes six mountain resorts: Amirsoy (Uzbekistan), Shahdag (Azerbaijan), Rosa Khutor (Russia), Shymbulak and Oy Karagay (Kazakhstan), as well as the Mona Yongpyong resort (South Korea). The alliance’s mission is to create a solid platform for cooperation, exchange of experience, and promotion of mountain tourism ideas, paying particular attention to sustainable development, preservation of cultural heritage, and improving the quality of tourist services. The Alliance acts as a catalyst for the development of the tourism industry in Eurasia, coordinating the activities of resorts, facilitating professional communication and promoting joint initiatives, and interacting with government agencies, businesses, and the public to formulate strategic directions for mountain tourism development.

It should be noted that the Olympic resort Mona Yongpyong from South Korea’s intention to join the alliance indicates the expansion of the Eurasian Alliance of Mountain Resorts’ cooperation geography beyond the CIS countries, which helps to strengthen the organization’s international status.

Representatives of the resorts included in the alliance shared their success in developing infrastructure, expanding the range, and improving the quality of services provided, as well as introducing digital solutions and innovative technologies. New projects and plans were presented regarding the further expansion of the resorts’ tourism opportunities and the creation of comfortable conditions for visitors.

During the press conference, the following significant events were listed for 2024: the first Eurasian Mountain Resorts Festival, which was also attended by the team of the Myler resort from Armenia and representatives of the tourism industry of Belarus and Kyrgyzstan; sports competitions of the teams – members of the alliance at the Oy-Karagay and Amirsoy resorts; the Eurasian Alliance of Mountain Resorts Leaders Summit, during which an expert assessment was given to the idea of ​​​​creating mountain clusters as an essential component of the Interstate Mountain Tourist Route; participation of Eurasian Alliance of Mountain Resorts representatives in a strategic session on mountain tourism development held within the framework of the International Tourism Forum Travel HUB “Commonwealth”.

In March 2025, the second Eurasian Mountain Resorts Festival will be held at the Shahdag resort in Azerbaijan. Its program includes free master classes in alpine skiing and snowboarding for winter sports enthusiasts, a gastronomic festival and folklore performances, an educational module for ski resort employees within the framework of the corporate university, professional discussions on current aspects of the resorts’ activities, in particular, a strategic session on the development of mountain tourism in Azerbaijan and the Caucasus countries.

The launch of the alliance’s official web resource was also announced at the press conference. The website provides information on the activities of the Eurasian Alliance of Mountain Resorts and its member resorts. Particular attention is paid to the unified Calendar of sports, cultural, and entertainment events at the resorts of the Eurasian Alliance of Mountain Resorts for the near future, which will allow tourists from Uzbekistan and other countries of the Eurasian space to easily plan their trips and choose the most exciting events.

The Eurasian Alliance of Mountain Resorts opens a new chapter in the history of mountain tourism, making it more accessible, comfortable, and attractive. The organization has created a unique platform for cooperation, experience exchange, and innovative solution development, so the industry’s future promises to be bright and dynamic.

Alpomish Mashrabkhonov, UzA