Brussels: Ambassador Gayrat Fozilov of Uzbekistan briefs on the development of his country’s fast-growing tourism sector

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H.E. Mr. Gayrat Fozilov, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Kingdom of Belgium, welcomed representatives of travel agencies to his embassy to brief them on the development of the country’s fast-growing tourism sector.

He began “First of all, let me welcome you at our Embassy and express my appreciation for taking the time to participate in our briefing. Our meeting today is aimed at an open dialogue to discuss topical issues in the field of tourism.

“Today we live in a fast-changing world, with developments affecting almost every aspect of our lives. The tourism industry is no exception either.

“Nowadays, due to certain factors, crisis situations, conflicts, extreme weather conditions in various regions, many popular and traditional tourist destinations become inaccessible or not safe for tourists.

The Ambassador emphasised: “The most urgent problem of world tourism is to provide a guaranteed system of tourist safety, as travellers increasingly give preference to safe tourist destinations.

“In this context, Uzbekistan today offers a unique alternative for safe travelling with almost all types of tourism. Our country abounds with historical, cultural and natural sights, has great opportunities in medical, ecological, gastronomic, ethno- and extreme tourism.

“You are well aware that in recent years Uzbekistan has been implementing a programme of large-scale reforms, and special attention has been paid to the development of the tourism industry.

“In the last few years, Uzbekistan has made impressive progress in the field of tourism and is emerging again as the centre of the Great Silk Road.

“Visa-free regime has been introduced for citizens of about 100 countries, including European countries. For citizens of another 55 countries a simplified procedure for granting an electronic visa has been established.

“We have created favourable conditions for all types of tourism business. The government has provided tax and customs privileges, strengthened credit and financial support.

“Subsidies have been allocated to build new hotels, attract international brands and increase the inflow of tourists. As a result, more than 800 infrastructure projects have been implemented in two years, despite pandemic-related restrictions.

“More than 1 billion dollars of investments have been directed to improve the tourist infrastructure of Samarkand city alone. The Silk Road International Tourism Centre is one of such major projects.

“In order to preserve the cultural, ethnographic and architectural identity of the ancient Bukhara oasis and to make it more widely known to the international community, a similar large project has been launched in the city of Bukhara.

“Amirsoy Winter Resort, Zamin and Charvak recreation areas have turned into international tourist centres attractive to many foreign tourists.

“We are creating tourist villages with traditional way of life and unique craftsmanship.

“In order to provide travellers with comfortable conditions, 70 new tourist routes were opened and 6 private airlines started operating.

“The number of foreign tourists arriving in Uzbekistan has increased two times. Revenues from export of tourism services have increased 4 times.

“In 2023, a total of 7 million tourists visited our country. By 2030, we plan to increase this figure to 15 million, the flow of domestic tourists – up to 25 million people.

“The large-scale work we are carrying out is being particularly recognised by the international community. I would like to draw your attention to a few recent facts in this respect.

“Uzbekistan holds high positions in the ranking of the fastest growing tourism centres of the World Tourism Organisation, as well as the authoritative Gallup Institute of Sociological Research – “The safest country for tourism”.

“One of the most famous tourist publications in the world “Lonely Planet” named Uzbekistan the best tourist destination for 2024. CNN Travel named Uzbekistan one of the best places to visit this year

“The 25th anniversary session of the General Assembly of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) was successfully held last October in the historic and ancient city of Samarkand.

 

“Holding the anniversary session of the Organisation in ancient Samarkand, the pearl of the Great Silk Road and a major tourist centre of New Uzbekistan, has a deep symbolic meaning.

“This unique city, located at the crossroads of the world’s civilisations, has for many centuries been a centre of trade, science and culture, a bridge between East and West.”

Much achieved, much still to be done.

The Ambassador told delegates: “We have achieved a lot in recent years, but there is still much to be done.

“We have set ambitious goals and plans for the development of the tourism industry. Among other things, we are developing a Strategy for Integrated Tourism Development until 2030.

“In this direction, we are giving priority attention to the creation of modern tourist and transport infrastructure.

“In particular, six more high-speed trains will be purchased for the Tashkent-Samarkand and Navoi-Bukhara routes, and an additional 600 kilometres of railways will be constructed.

“Starting from 2025, high-speed trains will run on the Tashkent – Khiva route, and from 2026 it will be extended to the city of Nukus.

“Toll motorways will also be built along the Tashkent-Samarkand and Tashkent-Andijan routes on the basis of public-private partnership. As a result, journey times on these routes will be reduced by half.

“By 2030, we will purchase 56 more modern airliners and increase the number of aircraft in our fleet to 100.

“In addition, the number of flights will be increased four times.

“An “open sky” regime will be introduced at all airports, and 6 major airports in the regions will be renovated on the basis of private partnerships.

“Also, 30 large tourist clusters will be created in big cities and places frequently visited by tourists.

H.E. Ambassador Gayrat Fozilov concluded: “It is planned to implement the programme “Travel in Every Season”.

“Within its framework, activities will be implemented to promote ecological, extreme, medical and health tourism in spring and autumn, water and resort tourism in summer, and extreme and ski tourism in winter. Festivals will be organised for the opening of tourist seasons.”

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Read also – Brussels: Uzbek universities sign MoU with Belgian Education Council

At the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Brussels, the Rectors of 10 Uzbeki universities signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Belgian Education Council in order to launch and to develop common activities and to define projects of mutual collaboration between the Parties.

 

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