From Vision to Reality: How SPCE Graduates Taalaibek and Elza Osmonov Are Transforming Tourism in Naryn
When Taalaıbek Osmonov and his wife, Elza, completed the University of Central Asia’s (UCA) School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE) Entrepreneurship Programme in Naryn, Kyrgyzstan, they were determined to pursue a long-held dream: to build a yurt-style business that would promote tourism in their home village of Alysh in Naryn.
Inspired by the area’s striking natural beauty, including its snow-covered peaks and open valleys, the couple made the bold decision to leave the capital city, Bishkek, sell their property, and invest everything in developing a tourism enterprise. With the skills gained through SPCE, particularly in entrepreneurship and project proposal writing, their idea was recognised as the best in their cohort and received a low-interest loan to begin construction from the Kyrgyz Investment and Credit Bank.
Working largely with their own hands, Taalaıbek and Elza transformed a rocky plot of land into what would become their “Bai-Tör” resort. Using natural stone collected from the banks of the Naryn River, they gradually built a large yurt-style structure capable of hosting up to 150 people. Additional government-supported financing enabled them to complete the main building in 2020, which has since become a popular venue for local celebrations.
“We moved from Bishkek to start our own business, and with the help of SPCE’s entrepreneurship course, we gained the skills to follow our dream,” said Taalaıbek. “Guests from nearby villages and from Naryn town are already visiting, and we look forward to welcoming international tourists in the future.”
Looking ahead, Taalaıbek and Elza plan to expand their services by offering guided jeep tours to some of Kyrgyzstan’s most scenic high-altitude locations — including Son-Kul Lake, Kel-Suu Lake, and the historic Tash Rabat Caravanserai on the ancient Silk Road. They also plan to build guesthouses and cultural attractions around the main yurt, aiming to establish Bai-Tör as a distinctive tourism destination in the Naryn region.
