Central Asia, Hidden Heaven Of Cultural And Natural Tourism That Tourists Are Getting More And More Attention

JAKARTA - Central Asia region is slowly but surely stealing the attention of world travelers. With the richness of ancient culture, ancient history, and still natural landscapes, this area that used to be an important part of the Silk Road has become increasingly popular as a unique and memorable alternative tourist destination.

According to General Manager of Communication and CRM Golden Rama Tours & Travel, Ricky Hilton, today's tourists show great interest in destinations that are not too crowded, but offer an authentic experience.

"There is a strong desire to explore new places that are not only beautiful, but also rich in culture and have strong historical value," Ricky said as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, June 2.

He called Central Asia a real example of destinations that meet these needs. This area consists of countries such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, all of which hold historical heritage, classical Islamic culture, to the charm of extraordinary nature.

Uzbekistan, for example, presents historic cities such as Samarkand and Bukhara, with a magnificent architecture in the form of mosaic madrasas, blue domes, and funeral complexes dating back to the Persian caliphate era. Most of these buildings have been recognized as world heritage sites by UNESCO.

Meanwhile in Kazakhstan, tourists can enjoy the modern side of the city of Almaty, complete with a stunning panorama from Mount Kok Tobel, which offers a view of the city from a height.

Kyrgyzstan is also no less attractive to the Burana Tower dating back to the 11th century the remaining glory of the Silk Road and Lake Issyk-Kul, the world's second largest mountain lake that offers a peaceful and fresh air atmosphere.

Meanwhile in Tajikistan, nature lovers and mountaineers will find a hidden paradise in the Fann Mountains, as well as traces of ancient civilizations in the collapse of the city of Penjikent which holds the story of inter-epoch cultural exchange.

In Turkmenistan, tourists can visit the Darvaza Gas Crater giant gas crater that continues to burn in the middle of the Karakum Desert which is often dubbed the Hell Gate. Not to forget, the experience of staying in the yurt, a typical nomaden tent, provides a local touch that enriches the travel experience.

According to data from UNWTO in 2023, global tourist interest in destinations that are still hidden and have strong cultural identity continues to increase. The 2024 Skift Megatrends report also states that the travel trend is now shifting towards the search for deep cultural connections, where tourists not only want to see, but also understand and emotionally unite with the destinations they visit.

Many of our customers are now actually interested in places that have not been explored much. They want to bring home a unique story, not just visiting popular locations that are viral on social media," concluded Ricky.