I supported a young group of PhD students and post docs on publishing their explorative research in the Aral Sea region of Uzbekistan. The notion of ecotourism to incubate entrepreneurial pathways towards sustainability is highly innovative for this region. The Aral Sea basin thematic is one of complexity and requires a systemic approach.

The paper examines ecotourism in the Aral Sea region of Uzbekistan, an area with a fragile environment that has faced ecological crises and requires careful sustainable development. It looks at the supply side of ecotourism by examining Uzbekistani tour operators’ awareness of benefits derivable from promoting ecotourism in the region, and the local tourism industry’s motives to engage in this development.

Saidmamatov, O.; Matyakubov, U.; Rudenko, I.; Filimonau, V.; Day, J.; Luthe, T. Employing Ecotourism Opportunities for Sustainability in the Aral Sea Region: Prospects and Challenges. Sustainability 2020, 12, 9249. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219249