Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan

During the meeting of the ADB Board of Governors, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan highlighted the tourism potential of Central Asia.

It was noted that due to the unstable situation in the world, millions of tourists are seeking safe destinations. Central Asia has significant potential in such types of tourism as pilgrimage, cultural, gastronomic, ethnographic, extreme, and medical tourism.

Uzbekistan is paying special attention to this sector by implementing reforms aimed at developing the necessary infrastructure, services, visa and transport systems, as well as, importantly, ensuring the safety of tourists. As a result, over the past ten years, the flow of foreign tourists to Uzbekistan has increased sixfold, reaching 12 million people.

Such sites as the recently opened the Islamic Civilization Center in Tashkent and the Memorial complex of Imam Al-Bukhari established in Samarkand are also being developed in neighboring countries. In this regard, the President proposed the creation of a unified tourism space uniting the countries of the region — the “Central Asia Tourism Ring.”

The head of state called on neighboring countries, the Asian Development Bank, and other partners to form a portfolio of tourism development projects and jointly finance them.