Tourist Trains Connecting OTS Countries to Boost Regional Tourism, Economic Growth, and Cultural Exchange Across Borders – Travel And Tour World

Report on the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) Tourist Train Initiative and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A new tourist train initiative across the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) aims to enhance regional tourism, economic growth, and cultural exchange. This report analyzes the initiative’s framework and its significant contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the areas of economic growth (SDG 8), sustainable infrastructure (SDG 9), responsible consumption (SDG 12), and climate action (SDG 13).

Fostering Economic Growth and Decent Work (SDG 8)

The initiative is projected to be a significant driver of economic activity and job creation across member states, directly supporting SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

Key Economic Impacts

• Job Creation: The project will generate employment in the transportation, tourism, and hospitality sectors. New roles will emerge in railway operations, infrastructure development, tour guidance, and local service provision.
• Support for Local Economies: Increased tourist flow along the rail routes will stimulate local economies, particularly benefiting small businesses, artisans, and restaurants in regional towns and cities.
• Inclusive Growth: By connecting major cities with more remote destinations, the initiative promotes balanced regional development and ensures economic benefits are distributed beyond primary tourist hubs.

Developing Sustainable Infrastructure and Promoting Climate Action (SDG 9, SDG 11, SDG 13)

The establishment of an integrated rail network is a strategic investment in sustainable infrastructure, aligning with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Environmental and Infrastructural Contributions

1. Promotion of Eco-Friendly Transport: Rail travel offers a lower-carbon alternative to air travel, reducing the environmental footprint of tourism and contributing to the region’s green transition goals.
2. Enhanced Regional Connectivity: The initiative strengthens transportation links between Azerbaijan, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, creating a resilient and interconnected infrastructure network.
3. Sustainable Tourism Practices: The focus on train travel encourages the development of eco-tourism products, such as tours to national parks and nature reserves, promoting tourism that is environmentally responsible.

Advancing Responsible Tourism and Cultural Preservation (SDG 11, SDG 12)

The initiative leverages the shared heritage of the Turkic world, particularly along the modern Silk Road, to promote sustainable tourism that safeguards cultural assets, in line with SDG 11.4 (Protect the world’s cultural and natural heritage) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Cultural and Heritage Objectives

• Linking Historical Sites: The train network will provide seamless access to numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites and ancient Silk Road landmarks across member states, encouraging multi-destination cultural tours.
• Preservation of Local Heritage: By driving revenue to cultural sites and local artisans, the initiative creates economic incentives for the preservation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
• Fostering Cultural Exchange: The cross-border nature of the project facilitates greater cultural interaction and understanding among tourists and local communities.

Strengthening Regional Partnerships for Sustainable Development (SDG 17)

The success of the Tourist Train Initiative is predicated on robust collaboration among diverse stakeholders, embodying the principles of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

Collaborative Framework

1. Multi-Stakeholder Engagement: A special working group comprising railway administrations, tourism organizations, local governments, and private sector partners ensures a unified and strategic approach to implementation.
2. Cross-Border Cooperation: The initiative requires member states to align on policies, from visa facilitation to joint marketing strategies, strengthening regional integration.
3. Long-Term Vision: Ongoing collaboration is essential for ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of the tourism industry, balancing economic growth with environmental and cultural preservation.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the Tourist Trains initiative by the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its focus on regional cooperation, economic development, sustainable infrastructure, and cultural preservation.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The initiative is explicitly designed to boost “economic growth” and lead to the “creation of jobs” in the transportation and tourism industries. The article highlights that increased tourist arrivals will create “local employment opportunities,” benefiting “small businesses” and “local artisans.”
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: The core of the initiative is the development of “integrated rail networks” and “sustainable rail systems.” This directly relates to building resilient and sustainable infrastructure to support economic development and connect the region.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The project aims to enhance “regional connectivity” by linking “major cities” like Baku, Istanbul, and Almaty. By promoting rail travel, it offers a more sustainable transportation option, contributing to safer and more accessible transport systems. Furthermore, its focus on linking “UNESCO World Heritage sites” and “ancient Silk Road landmarks” supports the goal of protecting cultural and natural heritage.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The article emphasizes the promotion of “sustainable tourism practices.” By positioning rail as an “eco-friendly” alternative to air travel, the initiative supports “green tourism” and helps tourists reduce their “carbon footprint,” aligning with the goal of sustainable tourism.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The entire initiative is a testament to regional partnership. The article underscores the need for “collaboration between tourism operators, railway administrations, local governments, and private sector partners” among the OTS member states to ensure the project’s long-term success.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s details, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 8.9: “By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.” The article directly supports this by describing how the tourist train initiative will create jobs for “tour guides,” “hospitality workers,” and “local artisans,” while promoting “cultural tourism” and the “preservation of local heritage.”
2. Target 9.1: “Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being.” The project’s central goal is to implement “integrated rail networks” and “sustainable rail systems” to facilitate “cross-border tourism” and foster economic growth across OTS countries.
3. Target 11.2: “By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all…” The tourist trains are presented as an “affordable” and “eco-friendly” transportation option that enhances connectivity between cities and tourist destinations.
4. Target 11.4: “Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.” The initiative is designed to connect and promote access to “key cultural and historical sites,” including “UNESCO World Heritage sites” and “ancient Silk Road landmarks,” thereby encouraging their preservation through sustainable tourism.
5. Target 12.b: “Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism…” The article’s focus on “sustainable tourism practices,” “eco-tourism growth,” and reducing environmental impact through “eco-friendly travel” aligns with the goal of creating a sustainable tourism model.
6. Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…” The success of the initiative is explicitly linked to “collaboration” and a “unified approach” involving multiple stakeholders, including “railway administrations, local governments, and private sector partners” across different nations.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions both direct and implied indicators for measuring progress:

• Direct Quantitative Indicator: The article provides a specific metric for tourist flow: “428,456 tourists from OTS countries visited Azerbaijan” between January and August 2025. This number serves as a direct indicator of tourism volume (relevant to SDG 8).
• Implied Quantitative Indicators:
  • Number of new jobs created in the tourism and transportation sectors.
  • Increase in revenue for local and small businesses along the train routes.
  • Number of cities and cultural/natural sites connected by the new rail network.
  • Growth in the number of multi-destination tours within the region.
  • A measurable shift in tourist transportation preference from air travel to rail, which could be tracked to assess the reduction in carbon footprint (relevant to SDGs 11 and 12).
• Implied Qualitative Indicators:
  • The establishment and functioning of the “special working group” to implement the rail network (relevant to SDG 17).
  • The development of new “eco-tours” and sustainable tourism packages.
  • The level of integration of visa policies and marketing strategies among OTS member states to create a “seamless tourist experience.”

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: travelandtourworld.com