Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 20 August 2021, the Closing Ceremony of the Online Incubator on “Creation of Tourism Media Content based on the Cultural and Natural Heritage of Karakalpakstan” will take place in Nukus, Karakalpakstan. 

The event is organized by the UNESCO Tashkent Office in close cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the framework of the Joint Programme “Addressing the urgent human insecurities in the Aral Sea region through promoting sustainable rural development”*.

Karakalpakstan is an extraordinary region, unique for its cultural, natural and historical heritage, and requires a well-organized and intensive promotion to reach its potentially world-wide audience. This was the objective of  the launching of the Online Incubator, which aims at raising awareness about the rich cultural and natural heritage of Karakalpakstan through creation of tourism media content, including marketing and communication approaches as well as working with media and social networks.

Being an integral part of the series of awareness-raising and capacity-building activities the Online Incubator was conducted from 30 June to 18 August 2021 by international experts in the field of tourism, travel journalism and marketing for about 35 professionals in the field of tourism, protection and management of natural and cultural heritage, marketing and communications, including young people, bloggers and local communities from Karakalpakstan.

The closing ceremony will present the participants’ results; in particular the media content created during the Online Incubator and as well launch the new social platforms and network for the further promotion of Karakalpakstan.

The UNDP and UNESCO Joint Programme “Addressing the urgent human insecurities in the Aral Sea region through promoting sustainable rural development” is funded by UN Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea region in Uzbekistan (MPHSTF). The aim of the project is to address the environmental, social and economic insecurities in the most vulnerable communities of the Aral Sea region through comprehensive solutions in addressing the environmental issues, promoting access to basic services, improving the living standards and developing sustainable tourism in Karakalpakstan. Moreover, the project’s objective is to enhance the social wellbeing of the rural population, including women and youth, through expanding income generation opportunities and promoting inclusive sustainable growth of the tourism sector in Karakalpakstan, built on community-based and eco-tourism in the Aral Sea region.