On January 25, Tashkent hosted a press conference for employees of domestic and foreign mass media on the results of activities of the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Tourism Development in 2018 and plans for 2019.
In order to further improve the legal framework of tourism industry, 25 normative-legal acts were developed, about 150 measures aimed at widely promoting the country’s tourism image were taken. In particular, a visa-free regime has been introduced for citizens of such countries as Turkey, South Korea, Japan, France, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Israel, and Tajikistan. An electronic system for full registration of foreign guests has been launched.
In addition, in order to accelerate tourism industry development, 142 hotels, 192 Wi-Fi zones, 29 information centers, 462 sanitary and hygienic centers for tourists have been created. Tourist class vehicles fleet increased by 133 units.
Within the framework of the First International Tourism Investment Forum held on November 19-21, 2018, over 400 investment projects were presented, 37 promising contracts and memorandums, 86 investment agreements were signed with investors.
In order to provide the sphere with modern personnel, Silk Road International Tourism University was established in Samarkand. An arrangement was reached on signing an agreement of cooperation between the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Tourism Development and the UNWTO, which envisages recognition of the status of a university as international and granting the university the right to use the UNWTO logo.
At the press conference, Vice Rector of Silk Road International Tourism University in Samarkand, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor Bakhodir Turayev gave information about activities of the university and plans for the future. Currently, 137 students are studying at the university in such areas as tourism management, tourism services and service organization. According to the demand and supply, the university plans to increase the admission quota. In this regard, in 2019-2020 academic year, additional places will be allocated for full-time and part-time offices. It is also planned to open new areas of study in undergraduate and graduate programs.
As it was noted at the event, over 5 million tourists visited Uzbekistan in 2018. This is two times more than in 2017.
The Acting First Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Tourism Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan Ulugbek Kasimkhojayev noted that close cooperation was established with travel companies and associations not only of neighboring countries, but also of Turkey, India, China, Russia, France, Israel, Georgia in order to organize a managed tourist flow in the country.
At the conference, the journalists became acquainted with the plans of the committee for 2019. On the basis of the Concept for tourism development in 2019-2025, it provides for implementation of a number of such tasks as development of inbound and outbound tourism in the country, strengthening the image of Uzbekistan as a safe region for traveling and recreation.