WNAM REPORT: An international summit focused on ecotourism and sustainable tourism took place in Tashkent. It was organized by Uzbekistan’s Tourism Committee, the International Ecotourism Society, and the international tourism organization TGS Travel.
It brought together about 100 leading international tour operators, tourism company representatives, and industry specialists from more than 20 countries.Uzbekistan hosts the summit for the first time. Previously, the event took place in prominent tourist destinations like Türkiye, Egypt, Vietnam, and Tanzania. This signifies international acknowledgment of Uzbekistan’s potential in ecotourism and sustainable tourism.
Participants learned about Uzbekistan’s tourism potential and ongoing industry reforms.
The event focused on sustainable resource management and promoting international cooperation, with special emphasis on strengthening connections with North American and European markets.
The core of the business program consisted of B2B meetings, where companies from Canada, the UK, and other European nations signed agreements to form partnerships and collaborate on joint tourism initiatives.
As mentioned during the event, Uzbekistan has introduced reforms to boost tourism in recent years, leading to positive outcomes.
UN Tourism reports that Uzbekistan is one of the seven countries experiencing the fastest growth in international tourism. Since the start of this year, over 8 million foreign tourists have visited the country, and the average stay has increased to eight days.
Substantial financial resources are directed toward developing hotel infrastructure. Entrepreneurs receive concessional loans for ten years at an annual interest rate of 16%. The subsidy period for building three-, four-, and five-star hotels has been extended by two years. Additionally, land and property tax rates for hotels, which were reduced tenfold, will continue until 2030.
Additionally, tour operators’ services to foreign tourists are considered exports and are exempt from value-added tax. Customs incentives for importing tourist buses, electric buses, and minibuses have been extended for another year.
The forum has become a vital platform for attracting new investors and global partners.
