The 21st Tashkent International Tourism Fair entitled “Tourism on the Silk Road” opened 5 October at the capital’s Uzexpocenter complex.
The opening ceremony of the event organized by the Uzbektourism National Company and the advertising agency “The Great Silk Road” with support from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) was attended by representatives of Uzbek and foreign travel agencies and companies, hotels, specialists of the sphere and representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in our country.
Speaking at the occasion, Chairman of Uzbektourism Farrukh Rizaev, Executive Director of the UNWTO Zoltan Somogyi and others stressed that the tourism sector has been advancing steadily in Uzbekistan under the leadership of President Islam Karimov and that everything necessary is created for an exciting and meaningful leisure of travelers.
Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On measures to further support and develop tourism in the Republic of Uzbekistan”, signed 10 October 2012, serves as an important guide for action in the promotion of the travel industry and tourism infrastructure as well as the active encouragement of national tour services in the international markets.
In terms of the number of historical monuments Uzbekistan is included in the list of top ten nations. Our ancient cities like Samarkand, Bukhara, Tashkent, Khiva and Shahrisabz are famed throughout the world. The rich cultural and spiritual heritage and the beautiful nature of our country create an opportunity to stimulate modern forms of travel such as ecotourism, geotourism, climbing, extreme and cultural tourism, fishing, white-water rafting.
As a result of the expansion of tourist routes, improvement of transport and communications and the sphere of services, the flow of tourists to our country has been increasing. In 2014, the volume of tour services in Uzbekistan amounted to 116 percent vis-à-vis the year 2013, while the export of such services reached 120 percent. In January-June this year, the number of arrivals to our country by tourists from abroad grew by 7 percent compared with the same period last year.
Uzbekistan Airways national company has attained a well-deserved niche in the international tourist market. The aircraft fleet and airports have been modernized, while the geography of flights has expanded – an important factor in attracting potential tourists to our country. Running from the capital Tashkent to Samarkand and Karshi, the state-of-the-art high-speed Afrosiyob train creates convenience and comfort of tourists.
