Proposals to expand tourism industry opportunities discussed

Proposals to expand tourism industry opportunities discussed

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev got acquainted with the presentation on increasing the tourist flow and expanding domestic tourism.

Uzbekistan is rich in historical, cultural, and natural attractions. The full-scale implementation of their potential will give impetus to the growth in the number of foreign tourists and their visits to the country all year round. To this end, on behalf of the President, measures were developed to implement opportunities in tourism effectively.

Thus, tourist centers will be created in the 12 most attractive districts and cities. These centers with restaurants, cafes, health facilities, and swimming pools will operate around the clock.

Stores of international brands, national silk fabrics, souvenirs, jewelry, and gold bars will be organized in the resort areas of Zaamin, Chimgan, Amirsay, and others, as well as in entertainment complexes. To achieve this, it is planned to reduce the land and property tax rate for entrepreneurs operating in tourist centers by 90 percent until January 1, 2027, and until March 1, 2026, to exempt equipment and technologies from customs duties necessary for producing jewelry and gold.

The “Another Day in Uzbekistan” program will be implemented starting this year. It creates “national tourist rings” connecting tourist sites in the regions and “regional tourist rings” between districts and cities. The Tourism Committee will maintain a Unified Register of Tourist Routes.

The implementation of the “Travel in Every Season” program is planned. Within its framework, activities will be implemented to promote environmental, 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 held at the opening of the tourist season.

Every two years in May, the International Fashion Week “Silk Fabrics of Uzbekistan” will be held with a prize fund of $2 million.

To promote the country’s tourism potential abroad, the institution of “tourism ambassadors” of the Tourism Committee will be introduced.

Measures will also be taken to support artisans, develop medical tourism, and introduce international experience into tourism education.

It is planned to allocate preferential loans for constructing campsites, yurts, eco-houses and hostels, and hotel swimming pools. To support entrepreneurs, equipment and inventory for hotels, shopping malls, swimming pools, and water parks will be exempt from customs duties for two years.

The Head of state approved these proposals and gave instructions for the further development of ecotourism and the creation of necessary conditions for the travel of persons with disabilities.