Ecotourism is a form of tourism focusing on visiting untouched nature, national parks and natural reserves. The key principles in the development of ecological tourism is not to create any negative influence on environment, to have an "organized" approach for stay of tourists in beautiful places, to appreciate the nature and culture of the country and to educate the young generation. The Rixos Borovoe is one of the leaders and protagonists in pursuing the goals of ecological tourism in Burabay National Park. Mr. Christoph Schleissing, General Manager of the Rixos Borovoe shared his personal opinion and explained the further vision of the development of eco trend in tourism in the region with Qazaq Green magazine.

- The first question that we cannot avoid is how the pandemic and quarantine measures affected tourism in Kazakhstan? Are there any changes now that we are emerging fr om the pandemic? Have tourists' preferences changed?

- Thank you very much for the chance to share my personal opinion about the ecology and tourism and what we as a Rixos Borovoe can actually do to develop the ecotourism trend.

Recycling issues and taking care of nature is our responsibility, wh ere our goal is not just to run a business, but to deliver a sustainable business. I think the most important point about pandemic is that it showed everybody how precious time is. All of us had the feeling that life, we knew until then, just stopped in one day. For Rixos Borovoe the pandemic had finally a very positive effect on our business and we were able to deliver outstanding financial results.

People adapt to certain market conditions. Preferences of travellers have changed a lot over the past ten years. I think what's happening now as a consequence of the pandemic is that all existing concepts in tourism like luxury, five stars - have all got a new meaning and definition. Two years ago, we understood "luxury" in tourism like with premium conditions for your stay including butler service, a beautiful view, breathtaking new experiences ... Today we have new criteria such as health, security, safety regulations. Do I feel save? Do I have enough space? Can I keep social distancing? What is the hotel's management doing to make sure all areas are disinfected?

Overall, the world has become more digital, all face-to-face meetings, conferences are canceled and we mostly communicate online via phones and computers. This digitalization has a huge impact on business travel in general. I don't believe it will continue to such extent, because people need to see each other, people need to meet and have live communication. In the near future there will be less big meetings, more smaller ones and more valuable.

On the other hand, this pandemic has brought everybody back to the roots. People started to think about the meaning of life, about their life mission, about quality time spent with beloved ones, connecting back to mother nature. There is a feeling that people understood, that we are only visitors on this planet, and our time is counted. What we'll make out of this time is up to us. This understanding is forming the respectful attitude of people to their surrounding and nature. The willingness to preserve the environment is greater than ever before.

- Today ecological tourism is a big global trend. It has become especially relevant in the post-pandemic period: after long restrictions, indulgences are accepted and people strive, as they say, to "reunite" with nature. Based on example of your hotel and the Burabay National Park, what is the current state of ecological tourism?

- The trend for ecotourism has really developed over the past ten years. Now in our professional sphere we have new concept, for example, "glamping", which is "glamorous camping" - a style of camping with amenities. This concept pursued by tourists, who are looking for premium accommodation conditions alongside with escapism and solitude in nature.

Kazakhstan, fr om my point of view is predestine to have ecotourism. In your country you have a lot of beautiful places with fabulous nature. However, the biggest issue is the irresponsible behavior of tourists for natural resources, which consequently will destroy nature. Why ecotourism is growing? I think people really understood now, that we have to do something to preserve the nature.

Today many people travel and visit different places. But tourists should always travel with a purpose. This purpose is not just sitting in a hotel for two weeks and say: "Oh, I've been to a country. I've seen, for example, Africa". Thus, people would like to have the comfort and security of an international standard, coupled with an opportunity to be individual to explore and learn more about the country. People would like to visit local artists, to visit manufacturing, cultural objects, to learn about local traditions and culture.

I'm always worshipping local originality, despite the fact that we are a global player. I believe we have to go local; we need to support the country in which we operate. For example, all our fresh fish specialties are local, our delicious meat is locally supplied just to name the main items. It reduces the impact on nature and corresponds to guests' desire experiencing the local touch. People want to feel connected with the destination. And, when we say we connect to local means we connect back to the environment.

For example, in our hotel we had an issue with the garbage disposal, like the entire area. Until 1 year ago we just paid per month an important sum of money for the garbage truck to collect all of our garbage. Avery dissatisfying situation as the collection was not regular enough for our needs and not corresponding to what we wanted to achieve. Recycle our garbage and create a positive effect for the future. After some research we found a company in Kokshetau which actually does recycling and we started collaboration. They separate the garbage for different categories: glass, plastic, paper, metals and they sell those items.

The rest of the organics they're burning. The ash, which is remaining can be used for fertilization. Today the garbage collection happens daily without any interruption and as a nice side effect of our efforts, this new company also signed a contract with the local authorities and solved the garbage collection issues within the area.

If we look purely at numbers, we are all on the winning side. Finally, for us the garbage collection has become almost cost neutral and the recycling company runs at a much higher capacity occupation. It is an intelligent way of saving cost while serving the higher purpose. Any business can act responsibly toward the environment as long as there is a willingness to do so.

Today every international company has a corporate social responsibility as one of their main visions inscribed in their DNA and going green, being sustainable, is one of the most important ones. As we are part of the group ACCOR we follow as much as we can the initiative called Planet 21. The company's commitment to drastically reduce CO2 output and the use of plastic. Today the straws used in the hotel are made out of paper. There is still a lot to do and we continue to strive for a more plastic-free operation.

I think we are missing a huge opportunity for the local economy. The development of recycling plants and a sustainable economy can help to create new jobs, to create new manufacturing plants, to develop own products under the brand "Made in Kazakhstan". For example, today almost all fashion brands are using recycled fiber for their clothing, many countries use recycled products to build houses, roads. So many great examples out there to learn fr om. This is happening, because countries have national recycling strategies and implement them day-to-day for local economies. This is what needs to happen here in Kazakhstan too.

- An uncivilized approach to tourism has a detrimental effect on the environment. The development of ecotourism certainly requires investment in "organized" tourism. These are parking lots, camping, infrastructure facilities and etc. Could you share your international experience: what needs to be done, for example, in Burabay to avoid the harmful influence of tourists?

- What we see presently cannot continue for the future. On weekends, public holidays and during the summer months the National Park is overcrowded and without any limitations nor control. One can see always the next days the very harmful impact of this unorganized tourism. Everywhere garbage leftovers and the nature is spoiled. There needs to be a clear development plan for the area with the necessary infrastructure to support it. In other countries we offer Park &Ride solutions to remove the massive amounts of cars from protected areas. Visitors shall pay an ecotax that could be used to build those necessary structures. Legislation shall prohibit the use of plastic bags in the shops and souvenir areas. Perhaps implement environmental police to ensure tourists are taking back all their garbage after having visited the park. Make the professional guides become more like rangers in Canada, protecting their natural resources. Have an environmental and sustainable construction manual that imposes new buildings to be 100% environmentally friendly. Like we have in most of the other countries around the World. Prohibit the use of petrol, charcoal and promote use of gas only. Audit all the existing buildings, hotels and sanatoriums, tourism installations on environmental friendliness. I would suggest Kazakhstan to search for assistance from other countries which are successful in developing eco-tourism and adapt some of their methods, laws. Of course, it is a long way forward and yet we need to start with a first step in the right direction.

- But antagonists will say that it's expensive. It's expensive to install solar panels, expensive to use energy efficiency technologies, it's expensive to recycle your waste, and finally it will influence the cost of touristic product. What do you think? How to find a balance between economy and ecological approach?

- I do understand that people will bring up this point of view. Change is difficult and needs strong commitment. Today almost every nation has understood that we need to reduce the use of plastic. Many alternative products are on the market mainly made out of recycled items. Many big brands have adapted a sustainable approach to their products and its packaging and we will see that it will grow further every year. It means the alternative products will become cheaper. Many tourists are ready to pay a little extra as long as it serves the right cause. We all wish to participate in creating a more meaningful tomorrow.

Eco-tax should be discussed and implemented as long as it will serve for the development of sustainable tourism. We need to educate our children about the importance of recycling and sustainability. Believe me, we have a huge advantage presently. As we can see that most children are used to digital, since very young age, why not educate via those channels. Why not launch a competition amongst all the schools together with our talented film makers to produce a series of comics that would teach the youngster on how to preserve Mother earth? Once our children will understand, they will teach us. Kazakhstan is a young independent country and shall become the role model for its neighbors on how to be modernly sustainable.

-         I think you mentioned very interesting topic. An important part of information work on the development of ecological tourism is the education of a conscientious tourist who would bear environmental responsibility on the principle of "do not harm". It is clear that punitive methods (for example, fines) cannot correct the situation here. How to ensure that tourism activities in protected areas would be "zero waste"?

- Guides, who work in tourism industry, should be professional, they have to have education and been licensed. Guides - should be like rangers in Canada. These guides are trained to protect the environment and at the same time they make a show around for visiting tourists. They are not just a people, who struggling through the forest. But they should educate tourists about the age of trees, how to find mushrooms, which mushrooms are dangerous, how to survive in the forest, how to cook and etc. Here in Borovoe you have a fantastic chance and nature to develop these professional guides. In Borovoe in the forest there are a lot of mushrooms and berries. There wild strawberries you can pick up here, it is unique just going pick up 10 kilos of wild strawberries, it doesn't exist anywhere in the world. This once again underlines the exceptional nature of Borovoe Natural Park. What is very obvious today that the damage to nature and the environment is purely linked to local tourism. There are almost no international travelers due to the current pandemic. It means we need to start urgently to educate our population on how to develop a responsible attitude towards their own natural resources. It is for sure a long way forward and it will take many years, like it did in many other countries. The point is we need to begin the process. The authorities can deploy "Green Angels" in the Natural Park reminding our local tourists to take back their garbage, hand out leaflets to make them understand how important it is to preserve nature. Provide the tourists with recycled garbage bags for their leftovers and provide guidance wh ere to dispose those bags. Organize entertainment around the theme of "No garbage" with a dedicated team of ecologists. At the same time increase drastically the amount of garbage bins available in the park.

I also believe the authorities have to prohibit the use of plastic bags in all shops, bazars, restaurants and provide a recycled alternative. Educate the Owners and make as a start bags payable for the consumer.

Perhaps think about on how we can reinstate the manufacturing of children toys made out of wood and other plastic free materials "Made in Kazakhstan". Children may have less toys and yet more valuable ones.

- I think this is a good point regarding the requirement to entrepreneurs, business who work in such kind of areas. You slightly mentioned this when we talked about investments, requirements for construction and so on. But, in general, what do you think for people who work here, I mean who run business here, who wants to run business here with tourists, what kind of requirement should be? What kind of the process for them not to make harmful influence?

- To my mind all business, working in and around the National Parks have to sign a Chart about sustainability, environment protection, recycling of garbage, rejection of plastics, following constructional recommendations and quality of service. The competent authority has to develop the legal platforms that only businesses following those charts / regulations are allowed to operate.

Employees must be able to communicate in different languages with the tourists such as Kazakh, Russian and English. Businesses and tourists should pay ecotax, because what's coming for free you don't value it.

-         Our association in 2019 successfully hosted Solar Fest Qazaqstan, an event that received positive feedback in the international business environment and received approval at the highest level in Kazakhstan. It was here in Rixos Borovoe that the RES Charter was signed and addressed to the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which gave a new opportunity to the development of the sector. How do you feel about such an event? Do you see a broader organization of this event in the future? Are you ready to further support it?

- Solar Fest Qazaqstan is a great event and our hotel will always support this festival. But the key point is that it needs to have many new initiatives and calls for actions integrated. In the hotel we have a perfect catwalk, wh ere we can organize a fashion show or exhibition of crafts or sculpture made of plastic in order to initiate the audience and authorities.

It has to be call for involvement, for example to make an announcement among local citizens to pick up the garbage in the forest and the prize could be a 1,000 tenge per 1 kilogram of the garbage. We can invite local artists and ask them to make sculptures fr om the garbage collected and at the end to organize the auction of this sculptures.

In partnership with the business community we can think about an ecological fund, which gives money or which prizes for young people for their ecological initiatives. We have a new private high-school lqanat here in Burabay. Why don't we use the talent and creative energy of students from this school?! Why don't use them and ask them to create those comics for environmental training for children? They will make it for you.

Good idea could also be to call the embassies to bring their know-how in eco technologies to the table. Recently I had a meeting with one Ambassador representing the EU. They have funding to be spent only on water recycling projects. And I invited them to come to Borovoe and check the water quality in the different lakes.

During the festival we can organize nation's cup between, embassies, ecological organization, corporate businesses. And we give them a task to build a boat to get across the lake. Of course, the boat to be made out of plastic bottles and other disposal items. We need action and we can think about such initiatives together to make the festival more fruitful and interesting for the greater audience. It is about creating awareness amongst the population.

-         What kind of initiatives you have in your hotel in the framework of ecological tourism?

- A part from your continuous strive to further reduce the use of plastic, continue to further recycle our garbage and reducing intelligently the consumption of water, electricity, gas, we are planning to embrace the idea of eco-tourism and will hopefully start building our glamping / eco¬ethno-village. Buildings could be constructed as low-energy consuming with glamping concept. The eco-village will follow the principles of zero-waste, carbon-neutrality, no plastics, only local products and food, no smart-phones (we can leave all our gadgets in special box for the period of stay of our guests).

In the eco-village we will promote Kazakh manufacture, handicraft, we will teach Kazakh culture, language to tourists, and we will organize this back-pack tourism through the forest: to pick up the berries, to pick up the mushrooms, cooking together, to use this all without sugar, gluten-free, and to see the sky, see the stars, play guitar and spend one night in the forest. In addition, we can organize great activities such as horse-riding, husky tours, fishing, bicycle and kayak rides ....

By implementing such projects recycling, eco-friendly approach has to become a lifestyle.

In this eco-village we will be able to organize summer camps, wh ere we will educate our guests about recycling, how to pick mushrooms and berries and how to survive in the forest. And I think this is the right way for development of ecological tourism.

To leave a footprint, this is all that we set for. So, if we have a chance on my position to be able to bring people together, and make the world a little bit better, I think we should not miss that chance. And have fun! This eco-tourism is actually great joy!

Interviewer: Nadezhda Shayakhmetova