Various types of produce, such as fruits, nuts, and vegetables, make up other categories.

Various types of produce, such as fruits, nuts, and vegetables, make up other categories.

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Meet Aibek TOLEGEN, the Blooming Star of Almaty's Ecotourism Scene

Hailing from the Almaty College of Service and Tourism, Aibek TOLEGEN is making waves as one of the top 100 best college students in Kazakhstan. His captivating project of cultivating exotic trees and plants in the Almaty Botanical Garden has left specialists gobsmacked.

Aibek visioned a city teeming with charms, enticing tourists, and decided to lend a helping hand in the development of his city's crown jewel.

His endeavor added a splash of uniqueness to the Almaty Botanical Garden, with the introduction of over 150 rare species—a veritable arboreal symphony featuring Lese's larch, Kozopolyansky's prostrate, Zalesky's feather grass, Orlean barberry, bush cherry, rough bark elm, and pomegranate. Aibek's fellow students and teachers offered their tremendous support, lending a green thumb to the initiative.

• My college is a treasure trove of knowledge in floristics, landscape design, and forestry. Students studying these specialties worked with me on this project, and our teachers were nothing short of amazing. With our college's connection to the Botanical Garden, ecotourism development seemed like a no-brainer, Aibek explains.

Aibek's dreams don't stop at the Almaty Botanical Garden. He aims to include the Presidential Park and "Zheruiyik" park in his ecological tour, alongside his teachers and college pals, with more breathtaking flora on the horizon.

Out of over 30,000 students from all Kazakhstan's colleges, Aibek was one of the lucky few to participate in a nationwide competition. To claim his spot, he had to conquer three levels: becoming the best in his college, sweeping his region, and then unleashing his might at the national level. Along the way, he had to tackle three challenges: preparing a presentation, penning a motivational letter, and producing a self-centered video showcasing his project.

Aibek's choice of a Tourism major was anything but incidental.

The Power of Ecotourism and Volunteering

In Aibek's lens, ecotourism serves as a beacon of societal progress. The probationary volunteer has assisted at numerous events, where organizers requested his help in guiding people and solving their predicaments. Ecotourism shares a close bond with volunteering, he suggests. Volunteers guide visitors, offer assistance, solve problems, and serve—much like tourism, an industry focused on providing services. That's where Aibek found his calling, a niche that propelled him to make his career choice.

Upon graduating from college, Aibek plots his path towards higher education in Korea, diving deeper into his passion.

Asel Jumagulova

For the Curious Minds:

Ecotourism projects in botanical gardens primarily focus on sustainable development, conservation, and education, often involving local communities, educational institutions, and government agencies. project development may include conservation efforts, infrastructure development, and community engagement. Collaborations with colleges encompass research partnerships, educational programs, and internship opportunities. Future plans for expansion typically involve digital integration, sustainable tourism practices, and international partnerships. For specific details on Aibek Tolegen's project, queries should be directed to the project team or relevant institutions in Almaty.

• Aibek's college, the Almaty College of Service and Tourism, offers a wealth of knowledge in fields like floristics, landscape design, and forestry, making it an ideal place for potential ecotourism development.
• Aibek envisions expanding his ecotourism venture beyond the Almaty Botanical Garden to encompass other green spaces in Almaty, such as the Presidential Park and "Zheruiyik" park, creating a network of breathtaking flora for tourists to explore.
• Aibek's passion for ecotourism and volunteering stems from his belief in their symbiotic relationship, where both sectors focus on offering services, educating, and fostering societal progress. With his upcoming education in Korea, he aims to further deepen his understanding and commitment to these fields.

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