The Kyrgyz government is laying claim to Father Christmas. In a bid to boost tourism, it says the world’s most generous man has his ‘base’ in Central Asia.

Bishkek has welcomed delegations from 16 European countries (compared to just six last year) to its annual International Santa Festival. It’s an important part of the Asian republic’s bid to be recognised as the home of Santa.

But they were disappointed with the turnout. The head of the Kyrgyz agency for tourism, who was awarded the title of honorary Santa during the festival, blamed the global financial crisis for not having more visitors.

“We got help from our ambassadors, worked through every channel. But there’s the world crisis now, and out of 40 representatives who were going to come only 16 made it. We hope to welcome more people next year,” he said.

Santa Claus has become the figurehead for the Central Asian country after a study by Swedish logistical firm Sweco. The study was to determine the best location on Earth to deliver Christmas Gifts worldwide. Kyrgyzstan won easily and was named as the headquarters of choice for Santa.

Local officials chose ‘Kyrgystan, the homeland of Santa Claus’ as a slogan, and so launched what they hope will prove a very profitable brand.

Among the places identified with Santa are the North Pole, the Finnish province of Lapland and the town of Velyky Ustyug in Russia. Others also have a claim.

The homeland of the historical St Nicholas, a revered Christian saint who served as the prototype of the bearded fat merry man we know, is Lycia in modern day Turkey.