An integrated cost–benefit analysis of sustainable tourism interventions on the south shore of Issyk-Kul

The analysis finds that a sustainable tourism pathway for Geopark Teskei, based on nature-based infrastructure and ecosystem protection, generates USD 250 million in net benefits over 25 years, significantly outperforming the USD 17.6 million generated by conventional mass tourism. This shift increases net benefits per tourist from USD 7.90 to USD 113 and provides a return of USD 8.88 for every USD 1 invested. Key economic drivers include a transition to higher-value visitors and the avoidance of USD 31.9 million in environmental and infrastructure costs through improved waste and wastewater management.

• Over a 25-year period, the sustainable tourism pathway for Geopark Teskei generates USD 250 million in net benefits, whereas conventional mass tourism generates only USD 17.6 million.
• The sustainable model shifts the tourism focus from high-volume, low-spending visitors to higher-value tourism, increasing the net benefits per tourist from USD 7.90 to USD 113.
• Investments in improved waste and wastewater management are a primary economic driver, avoiding USD 31.9 million in environmental and infrastructure costs.
• Sustainable tourism offers a significantly higher return on investment, returning USD 8.88 for every USD 1 invested, compared to USD 2.77 under the conventional scenario.

APA

Bassi,, E. A. (2026). An integrated cost–benefit analysis of sustainable tourism interventions on the south shore of Issyk-Kul. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/savi-assessment-sustainable-tourism-geopark-teskei

Chicago

Bassi,, Edvin Andreasson,Andrea. An integrated cost–benefit analysis of sustainable tourism interventions on the south shore of Issyk-Kul. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2026. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/savi-assessment-sustainable-tourism-geopark-teskei.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Bassi, |first1=Edvin Andreasson,Andrea |title=An integrated cost–benefit analysis of sustainable tourism interventions on the south shore of Issyk-Kul |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=19 March 2026 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/savi-assessment-sustainable-tourism-geopark-teskei |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{bassi2026integrated, author = {Bassi,, Edvin Andreasson,Andrea}, title = {{An integrated cost–benefit analysis of sustainable tourism interventions on the south shore of Issyk-Kul}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2026}, month = mar, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/savi-assessment-sustainable-tourism-geopark-teskei}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }