BISHKEK, DEC. 19 2016 (The Conway Bulletin) — Kyrgyzstan cancelled the reintroduction of a law that required all tourists to register with an interior ministry unit within five days of arriving in the country.

The law had proved unpopular with tourists, who didn’t understand the system and felt vulnerable to extortion, and also with businesses whose revenues had been hit.

Kyrgyzstan reintroduced the rule on Nov. 5 but never properly explained why. It was also seen as a step backwards for Kyrgyzstan which had scrapped tourist visas in 2012.

In a direct plea to the government, tourism leaders in the Karakol region of east Kyrgyzstan, popular for skiing and hiking, posted a video explaining the impact on their businesses.

“Tourism in Karakol is one of the main economic activities of the city, owing to which we live and eat,” Jamilya, 29, a owner of local cafe said in the video. “Your law on registration is the absolute opposite to the development of Kyrgyzstan and development of tourism and I ask you to hear the voice of the people and cancel the registration.”

Kyrgyzstan, which is short on natural resources but is renowned for its Alpine scenery, has tried to market itself as an adventure tourism destination. Tourism now accounts for nearly 5% of the country’s GDP.

Azamat Aitbaev, a member of Karakol city parliament and the initiator of the video messages told The Conway Bulletin that tourist numbers were down 70-80% compared to last year.

“December is the most active month in winter tourism, and we have already lost it because of this mandatory registration,” he said.

Under the reinstated rules citizens of Western countries will be able to stay in Kyrgyzstan for 30 days without registering and citizens of other FSU states, and countries with special bilateral agreements, will be able to stay in Kyrgyzstan for up to 90 days without registering.

ENDS