The cover of "Central Asia 3 Countries" travel guide / Courtesy of Travelbooks
Amid growing attention on Central Asia, following President Yoon Suk Yeol's visit to a number of Central Asian countries last month, a new book highlighting Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan has been published.
The "Central Asia 3 Countries" travel guide is co-authored by Seo Byung-yong, a seasoned traveler with extensive experience in former Soviet Union countries, and Go Soo-youl, a business professional with strong ties to Central Asia.
The book offers a comprehensive guide to the land that Korean travelers feel familiar with yet distant despite relatively close physical distances.
Seo, author and CEO of TravelBooks publishing company, said the region is an untapped tourism frontier for Koreans.
"As Korea welcomes an era of 30 million overseas tourists, the three Central Asian nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are poised to become a 'blue ocean' for the tourism industry," said Seo during an event to commemorate the book's publication at the Korea Foundation in central Seoul, Tuesday.
The author counted several factors that contribute to this promising outlook, including growing direct flights connecting Korea and Central Asia, geographic proximity, visa-free entry, relatively affordable travel expenses and abundant unique attractions.
"Kazakhstan's vast landscapes unveil breathtaking natural beauty, while Uzbekistan stands as a cultural crossroads, captivating visitors with its ancient Silk Road cities and vibrant heritage where East meets West. Kyrgyzstan, often referred to as the Switzerland of Central Asia, offers experiences related to nomadic culture, including opportunities for trekking, horseback riding and yurt stays," Seo said.
Seo Byung-yong, left, the author of the "Central Asia 3 Countries" travel guide, participates in an event organized by the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum Secretariat to commemorate the book's publication at the Korea Foundation in central Seoul, Tuesday. From left are Seo; Arizev Fazliddin, Uzbek charge d'affaires ad interim to Korea; Nurgali Arystanov, Kazakh ambassador to Korea; Rhee Jong-kook, executive director of Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum Secretariat; and Aida Ismailova, Kyrgyz ambassador to Korea. Yonhap
The 256-page book introduces shared cultural aspects of Central Asia, including the Islamic architectural style, the Silk Road and popular dishes such as plov, a one-pot rice dish traditionally cooked with meat, vegetables and spice and lagman, a noodle soup dish with various toppings. The book also offers lists of must-buy items and specialized itineraries, including a travel course recommended for women traveling alone.
This book also serves as a valuable resource for anyone seeking to navigate the business landscape of this region. Some tips include avoiding products that compete directly against Chinese products because of an abundance of Chinese goods due to geographical proximity and building strong relationships with capable local dealers, as having consumer recognition for non-established brands is hard and takes longer in the region.
"Central Asia 3 Countries" contains interviews with a travel YouTuber, a blogger, Korean consular officials responsible for handling accidents and a Korean company's overseas branch head.
To help celebrate the launch of the book, envoys from the three countries attended the event. They expressed enthusiasm for attracting Korean tourists, highlighting their countries' unique attractions.
Nurgali Arystanov, ambassador of Kazakhstan to Korea, said that the three cities of Almaty, the former capital, Astana, the new capital, and Shymkent, the Silk Road region's capital, collectively known as the Golden Triangle, are must-visit destinations. He added that Kazakhstan has more great tourist attractions, such as snowcapped mountains and the Charyn Canyon.
Arystanov further elaborated that his country is focused on developing its tourism sector, urging Korean readers to "go through this book, get inspired, hit the road and revisit all of our countries in Central Asia for many occasions."
He also invited the Korean guests to attend the World Nomad Games to be hosted in Astana from Sept. 8-13.
Aida Ismailova, the Kyrgyz ambassador to Korea, said, "I hope you will experience the beauty of nature at Issyk Kul Lake, the second-largest alpine lake in the world," emphasizing that Kyrgyzstan boasts stunning scenery.
Arizev Fazliddin, Uzbek charge d'affaires ad interim to Korea, said Samarkand was a major center of the Silk Road and a significant element showcasing the glorious past of the 14th-century Timurid era.
"Visitors will be able to experience the country's limitless potential by visiting cities like Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, where they can enjoy cultural heritage, artifacts and traditional cuisine," he said.