The Challenge

For developing countries, tourism can be the key to economic growth. In 2019, tourism contributed 10.4% to the global GDP (WTTC). FatherLand Ethno-Tourism seeks to come alongside Kyrgyzstan as it develops this sector.

Despite the importance of ethno-tourism to Kyrgyzstan’s economy and image, the standards of the sector are underdeveloped. When travelers visit, one of the current standards requires guests to use an outhouse. Unfortunately, the lack of proper toilets is harmful to the ecology and severely limits the types of tourists and thus the potential income from ethno-tourism.

While higher standards for the accommodations are important, improved standards for the workers in the ethno-tourism industry are also needed. The average wage is less than the cost of living for a family in Kyrgyzstan, and this gap contributes to poverty in the country.

When we envision how traveling to another place will impact us, we often do not think about the impact that we will leave there. One of the main issues Kyrgyzstan faces in its effort to develop ethno-tourism is the ecological impact of tourism. It is common practice to eradicate the vegetation that blocks the view of a lake, but in doing so, the wildlife around the lake lose their homes. This destruction of the habitat makes ethno-tourism unsustainable.

A Solution

FatherLand is an ethno-tourism showcase project on an entire block of shorefront land in the heart of Lake Issyk Kul, an area designated for tourism development. Their goal is to help develop attractive and sustainable tourism experiences through “Yurt Conversion'' trailer kits. These kits, which are on display and in use on site, offer at least four ecologically-safe toilet options. They will be available to the community at zero investment through “lease to own” or grants to local families in appropriate locations.

FatherLand also develops and manufactures acrylic domes and other weatherizing customizations for traditional yurts. In addition to showcasing the yurts, their aim is to demonstrate inclusive practices with 100% of non-reinvested earnings going to the local service providers and to show that ecotourism can be an attraction instead of a financial burden.

Business activities geared towards promoting Sustainable Tourism, Infrastructure, and Economic Growth:

Target: Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management (Adapted from Target 6.b)

Target: Promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products (Adapted from Target 8.9)

Target: Encourage sustainable infrastructure through resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes (Adapted from Target 9.2)

Target: Integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts (Adapted from Target 15.9)

Measured by:

Area of land directly/indirectly controlled by the organization and under sustainable cultivation or sustainable stewardship,
Number of full-time, part-time, and temporary employees that are earning a local living wage or higher as of the end of the reporting period,
Progress on “Yurt Conversion Kit,” and
Ecological development.

Donate to Ethno-Tourism (Kyrgyzstan)

FatherLand is an ethno-tourism showcase project on an entire block of shorefront land in the heart of Lake Issyk Kul, an area designated for tourism development. Their goal is to help develop attractive and sustainable tourism experiences through “Yurt Conversion'' trailer kits. These kits, which are on display and in use on site, offer at least four ecologically-safe toilet options. They will be available to the community at zero investment through “lease to own” or grants to local families in appropriate locations.

FatherLand also develops and manufactures acrylic domes and other weatherizing customizations for traditional yurts. In addition to showcasing the yurts, their aim is to demonstrate inclusive practices with 100% of non-reinvested earnings going to the local service providers and to show that ecotourism can be an attraction instead of a financial burden.