Kyrgyzstan expects more than 12 million tourists in 2026. The main attraction for foreign guests has traditionally been the Issyk-Kul region. The summer tourist season has officially started in the region. Correspondent of MIR 24 Asel Usenova found out if everything is ready for the arrival of guests.
“Issyk-Kul intends to break all records. In addition to beach holidays, the region will become a center of international sports. This year, two large-scale events will be held here: the world championship in water-motor racing and the Sixth World Nomad Games,” the correspondent noted.
Order in the resort area is now under round-the-clock control both on land and on water. The security service has SUVs, motor vehicles and speedboats in its arsenal. In mountainous areas, a mounted platoon will monitor order. The readiness of the garrison was checked by the head of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliev.
Adylbek Kasymaliev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic: “As technology develops, we are radically updating our approaches to ensuring security. This allows us to prevent hundreds of crimes and thousands of offenses. 10 thousand video surveillance cameras have been installed throughout the republic, which monitor public places, tourist areas and other facilities around the clock.”
People come to Issyk-Kul all year round. The region accounts for half of the country’s entire tourism industry. In winter, guests are greeted by ski slopes, in summer – the lake shore. International competitions also add interest. The country is organizing the World Nomad Games for the third time, and at the end of July, the “Formula 1” on water will be held here for the first time. Preparations are already underway.
“Next week we expect a state environmental assessment. Let’s wait for it. If we felt that ‘Formula 1’ on water would bring any environmental problems, we would never have agreed to this event. We agreed to this event, seeing how these events are held in Italy, Shanghai, Hong Kong – in the best cities of the world,” noted Eduard Kubatov, Director of the State Agency for Tourism Development under the Cabinet of Ministers.
The real threat is hidden at the bottom of the water area. According to the Ministry of Nature, since the beginning of 2026, over 130 thousand fishing nets have been removed from the lake.
“Synthetic nets are the main enemy of the lake. They do not decompose for centuries, turning into deadly traps for fish and birds. The environmental safety of Issyk-Kul is under special control today. Inspectors and police regularly go on raids to clean the water area from poaching gear,” the correspondent noted.
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