Uznews.net – After the ethnic clashes in southern Kyrgyzstan in June Uzbek citizens seem to have decided to avoid holidaying at Kyrgyzstan’s Lake Issyk-Kul: the Tashkent-based Central Asia Travel company says that the number of those wishing to go there has slumped by 94%.

“We never had anything like this,” the company’s manager said. “A trip to Issyk-Kul used to be the best holiday for Uzbeks. It was not expensive but quite comfortable. People seem to have demonstratively refused to go to Kyrgyzstan.”

The manager linked the lack of demand to ethnic clashes in southern Kyrgyzstan in June.

The administration of NBU-Rohat hotel, built by the National Bank of Uzbekistan at Issyk-Kul, said that it did not have a single tourist from Uzbekistan now, while Uzbeks accounted

	NBU-Rohat hotel's beach

for up to 30% of guests in the past. In addition to Uzbeks, Kazakhs, who usually flood the lake, also decided to stay away from Kyrgyzstan.

The Almaty-based Onyx tour agency openly dissuaded clients from holidaying at Issyk-Kul, saying that despite pledges the Kyrgyz government cannot ensure their security. Many Kazakhs seem to have followed its advice.

The personnel of NBU-Rohat, who have to fight for each client now because of the lack of demand, tried to reassure an Uznews.net correspondent that Uzbek citizens could come to Issyk-Kul without any fear.

However, these reassurances do not look convincing because, the UN high commissioner for human rights said, ethnic Uzbeks are still suffering from discrimination and violence in Kyrgyzstan’s south.

The occupancy rate has somewhat improved in July and reached about 60% in weekdays and 90% at weekends, whereas this figure did not exceed 10% in June.

Kyrgyz now make up a majority of holidaymakers as they are trying to capitalise on cheap hotel rates. For example, NBU-Rohat offers double rooms with three meals a day for $60 per night, while cheaper places charge between $4 and $20 per person per night.