The measures were announced by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at a meeting with entrepreneurs in Khorezm region, where he said the benefits of tourism reforms should translate into higher incomes for the population.
The government will allocate $50 million for the construction, reconstruction and modernization of hotels. Entrepreneurs will also be able to obtain loans in the national currency at an annual interest rate of 16% for up to 10 years.
Subsidies for the construction of three-, four- and five-star hotels will be extended for another two years. At the same time, hotels seeking subsidies will no longer need to provide an assessment from a foreign company when confirming their star rating.
A tax incentive allowing hotels to pay land and property taxes at rates reduced tenfold will remain in effect until 2030.
Hotels with more than 50 beds will also be required to have ATMs capable of accepting cash in foreign currencies, with banks responsible for installing the machines.
Services provided by tour operators to foreign tourists will be treated as exports and exempt from value-added tax. The measure is intended to improve the conditions for tourism businesses serving international visitors.
Customs exemptions for the import of tourist buses, electric buses and minibuses will be extended for another year. These vehicles will also be exempt from the recycling fee.
