Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), in its report Tourism Trends and Policies, also highlights the diversification of tourism products, the integration of local businesses into digital platforms, and the development of experience-based tourism services as key drivers of sustainable growth in the modern tourism industry.

Uzbekistan possesses exceptional potential for the development of gastronomic tourism. Shaped by centuries of cultural exchange along the Great Silk Road, the country's culinary heritage is renowned for iconic dishes such as plov, samsa, lagman, shivit oshi, and tukhumbarak. Uzbekistan has been recognised as the "Best Destination for Gastronomic Tourism" by the National Geographic Traveler Awards, while Uzbek cuisine is consistently featured by TasteAtlas as one of the world's outstanding culinary traditions.

To fully realise this potential and promote Uzbekistan's national cuisine in line with international standards, the Project Office under the Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan is implementing the Gastro Marketplace and Tourist Friendly Restaurants initiatives.

As part of these projects, around 80 individuals interested in conducting gastronomic masterclasses have already been selected. A dedicated database has been created to promote their services on leading international digital platforms. The selected participants will also receive specialised training based on international standards for serving foreign visitors.

In addition, approximately 40 restaurants in Samarkand, Bukhara, Khorezm, and Tashkent have been selected to participate in the programme. Tailored, well-balanced tasting menus featuring traditional Uzbek dishes are currently being developed for these establishments. Work is also underway to prepare English-language menus, professionally designed promotional materials, and detailed technical recipe cards for each dish.

The implementation of these initiatives will integrate Uzbekistan's national cuisine into the global digital economy, help local entrepreneurs access international markets, introduce modern hospitality standards, and further strengthen the country's gastronomic brand worldwide. At the same time, the projects will enhance the economic impact of gastronomic tourism by integrating family-run businesses, guesthouses, and restaurants into the international tourism ecosystem, creating new opportunities for sustainable growth across the sector.