Uzbekistan’s tourism sector begins to suffer due to coronavirus  

According to the State Committee for Tourism Development data, in February, 440,119 foreigners visited Uzbekistan.

This is more by 11.9% compared to February last year, but less by 96,162 compared to January of this year.

In this regard, the government held a meeting with representatives of local authorities and entrepreneurs. During the event, problems related to the loss of tourist groups and issues of searching for additional opportunities were discussed, Spot said.

Tour operators proposed declaring tax holidays in the upcoming tourist season, which is expected to be unprofitable, as well as abolishing fines for cancelling air and train tickets.

In addition, it was proposed to increase the number of flights to countries where the coronavirus was not detected (for example, Turkey and Kazakhstan). The topic of increasing the number of domestic flights was also raised.

Following the meeting, it was decided to develop proposals to reduce the negative impact of the spread of coronavirus on the tourism sector, and submit them to the government.

It may include a financial support for domestic companies in a difficult situation, the provision of benefits and preferences for the development of domestic tourism and many other more.