WNAM MONITORING: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a meeting on measures to improve tourism infrastructure in the regions and increase the flow of foreign tourists.
In a difficult economic situation, supporting industries that create more jobs and increase investment and exports is necessary. The tourism sector has such potential. Every dollar invested in this sector generates 3-4x future returns, and each new job creates 2 more jobs in other industries.
Uzbekistan has many historical and cultural sites and picturesque corners. Based on these, tourist complexes and resorts have been created. The procedures for running a tourism business have been simplified. Tourist police have been established to ensure the safety of tourists.
Last October in Samarkand, within the framework of the World Tourism Organization forum, investment agreements worth $2 billion 300 million were reached. Among them are many projects to develop tourism infrastructure and create new facilities.
In particular, foreign investors began constructing a ski complex on 3,000 hectares between the villages of Gelon and Sarchashma in Shakhrisabz district. A master plan for the village of Miraki is also being developed.
This area is remarkable both for its history and nature. In addition, the Economic Cooperation Organization declared the city of Shakhrisabz the tourism capital of 2024.
Therefore, several measures have been identified to develop tourism in the district. First, a tourism cluster will be created in the city of Shakhrisabz and Shakhrisabz district. The 33-kilometer-long Khisorak-Gelon and Khisorak-Sarchashma roads will be expanded and repaired. The Chirakchi-Shurkuduk highway will be repaired, reducing travel time from Samarkand to Shakhrisabz.
Three hydroelectric power plants with a capacity of 24 megawatts will be launched on the Oqsu River, which passes through Gelon. As a result, there will be no electricity problems in the tourism cluster. At the Shakhrisabz Tourism College, 100 specialists will be trained annually based on the Swiss program.
It was noted that similar work could be organized in 20 other districts with high tourism potential, such as Akhangaran, Urgut, Nurata, Yangikurgan, Pap, Chartak, Baysun, Sariasiya, Bakhmal, Fergana. Responsible persons were instructed to develop a master plan with the involvement of foreign consultants.
As is known, the international ethno-festival “Baysun Spring” was recently held. A four-star hotel, an amphitheater, and yurts worth $6 million are built in “Bibishirin” mahalla. Entertainment shows were held. As a result, the number of tourists to Surkhandarya region increased 4 times.
The interest of young people in extreme tourism is growing every year. The task has been set to adopt a program to develop this area.
In summer, the demand for water parks and swimming pools naturally increases. Swimming pools are being built in hotels as part of the allocated funds. However, in the regions, there are no modern water parks that would attract tourists.
Tourism opportunities around natural lakes are also underused. For example, on the shores of lakes Sechankul and Achinkul in Mirishkor district, there is not a single place for recreation. The Aydar-Arnasay lake system is very convenient for fishing and ecotourism.
Based on this, land was auctioned to construct water parks and projects on lake shores.
Since the pandemic, demand for medical and wellness tourism has increased. Last year, more than 60,000 foreign tourists were treated in sanatoriums and medical institutions in the country. Private clinics have increased over the past five years, but only two have an international certificate.
The reason cited is the lack of a holistic approach to the integrated development of medicine and health tourism. The export of medical tourism services alone can generate $300 million a year.
In this regard, the launch of the “Medical Hospitality” program was announced based on the experiences of South Korea, Türkiye, and India.
From now on, the budget will cover the costs of private clinics undergoing international certification and participating in foreign exhibitions. Foreign patients visiting clinics will receive a refund of value-added tax. Doctors traveling abroad to provide advertising and diagnostic services will be compensated for travel and living expenses.
Instructions on the international certification of hospitals and sanatoriums and the attraction of qualified managers have been given for this purpose.
Establishing permanent and specific dates for traditional festivals and further simplifying border crossings was noted.
Another problem hampering the development of tourism is related to transport. Abroad, tour operators buy tickets at least six months in advance, so package tours are cheaper. In Uzbekistan, plane and train tickets are difficult to get. They cannot be found one or two months before the trip.
In this regard, the Ministry of Transport has been instructed to increase the number of international flights and launch a single online platform that provides information on all flights and the ability to purchase tickets.
The President noted the need to launch a global advertising campaign demonstrating the country’s total tourism potential.
A competition will be held to create content dedicated to the national tourism brand. International gastronomic festivals will be organized this year in Tashkent and next year in Khiva, where Uzbek cuisine, numbering more than 300 national dishes, will be promoted. It was instructed to improve the system for issuing electronic visas and launch its mobile application.
Social networks, along with television, will be widely used in the advertising campaign. Information tours will be organized for bloggers with a large audience.
At the meeting, the Head of state held an open dialogue with industry entrepreneurs. Based on their problems and proposals, instructions were given on the issues of financial support for tourism service operators, extending the period for VAT refunds in the form of a subsidy, expanding the geography of exports, creating domestic ones, training mid-level specialists, and improving their qualifications abroad.
The President proposed creating a public council for tourism development, which was warmly supported by industry representatives and entrepreneurs present at the meeting.
Responsible persons presented plans for work in this direction, citing opportunities to attract 11 million foreign tourists this year and increase tourism exports to $2.5 billion.
