Forging a Path Together in Nature

A delegation of tourism specialists from Kyrgyzstan came to Israel recently to learn from KKL-JNF how to create a countrywide network of bicycle paths. 

Against the tense background of military activity in Gaza, this visit gave KKL-JNF an opportunity to extend a friendly hand to a Muslim state and share its accumulated store of knowledge of nature-based tourism and recreational activities. Israel’s Foreign Ministry warmly supported the initiative and gave its blessing to the joint venture, despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations between Israel and Kyrgyzstan. 

The three representatives from Kyrgyzstan, who in their home country are considered pioneers in the field of mountain biking, met with KKL-JNF’s experts on the sport, listened to explanations, explored the countryside and, of course, pedaled their way along some of the single trails that KKL-JNF has developed throughout the length and breadth of Israel, with the help of its Friends worldwide. 

“We were greatly impressed by KKL-JNF’s work on the development of tourism in natural surroundings,” said Tarikov Hayat, one of the members of the Kyrgyzstan delegation. “The landscapes of Kyrgyzstan are very different from those of Israel, as they are characterized by numerous high mountains and large rivers. However, despite the differences, our visit here has given us a lot of ideas that we can implement at home. We can learn from you how to construct single trails for cyclists in a woodland environment.”