The Tourism Sector in Kazakhstan suffers from the absence of quality and sustainability standards, poorly planned facilities, climate change devastating consequences on natural resources, low-skilled human resources, limited understanding of Tourism Sector by financial institutions, and insufficient destination marketing and promotion. The objective of this project is to boost the transformation of Kazakhstan towards a green economy by enhancing the sustainability and competitiveness of the Tourism Sector. To this end, the project will (i) better equip MSMEs to seize opportunities for green business development; (ii) promote green consumption and better informed public and private consumers; (iii) advocate for clearer and more efficient Sustainable Consumption and Productions (SCP) policies; and (iv) make green financing more accessible to MSMEs. .
To properly address the needs and constraints of the target groups, the action will promote SCP through integrated approaches by: (i) providing MSMEs with technical advisory services on resource efficiency and tourism sustainability schemes; (ii) supporting MSMEs on access to finance and business management; (iii) reinforcing business services providers’ capacities on existing mechanisms to support SCP uptake by MSMEs; (iv) increasing market demand for sustainable tourism through consumer awareness raising campaigns; and by (v) engaging policy makers and financing institutions for an enabled business environment for SCP. The main expected results of this project are to: (a) improve the sustainability and resource efficiency in the MSMEs of the Tourist Accommodation Sector in Kazakhstan; (b) promote green commercialisation and consumption by implementing Travelife sustainability certification system in the MSMEs of the Tourism Sector of Kazakhstan; (c) increase the awareness and commitment of governmental institutions and financing bodies in SCP practices and Sustainable Tourism benefits; (d) create a panel of experts on SCP practices, sustainability schemes and marketing strategies to foster the continuation of these practices once the action is finished.