Red Tape Thwarts Tajikistan’s Efforts to Develop Tourist Economy

Red Tape Thwarts Tajikistan’s Efforts to Develop Tourist Economy

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan -- Its snow-capped peaks, crystal-clear lakes and pristine landscapes could put Tajikistan on par with pastoral hot spots in New Zealand or Switzerland.

However, lingering Soviet-era paranoia and a dizzying array of as many as 11 permits required for travelers wishing to visit, set against a backdrop of a public infrastructure that could only kindly be called crumbling, make it unlikely that this Central Asian nation will be vying for the title of top tourist destination anytime soon.

Divesting themselves of the tangles of red tape to be more accessible to travelers, tourists and investors has been a priority for the former Soviet states, which are lured by the promise of foreign exchange and opportunities to showcase their natural assets that were kept under Communist wraps for so long.

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