Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan

During a working visit to Istanbul, Chairman of the Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Akkulov held meetings with the heads of major Turkish organisations and companies.

In particular, priority areas of cooperation were discussed during talks with Yunus Ete, President of the World Halal Summit Council; Mehmet Tevfik Nane, Chairman of the Board of Pegasus Airlines; and Şekib Avdagiç, President of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce.

At the meeting with representatives of the World Halal Summit Council, particular attention was paid to promoting Uzbekistan’s potential in international pilgrimage and Muslim-friendly tourism.

The parties explored the possibility of hosting the international World Halal Summit and related forums in Uzbekistan in 2027, as well as publishing an international magazine.

They also exchanged views on organising major international events in Bukhara and other cities in the future, in cooperation with the State Institution “Tourism Product Development Project Office” under the Tourism Committee.

During the meeting with Mehmet Tevfik Nane, Chairman of the Board of Pegasus Airlines, discussions focused on promoting Uzbekistan’s tourism potential in the cities served by the airline as it launches new routes to the country.

The parties reached a preliminary agreement to sign a cooperation agreement providing for a joint advertising campaign to attract tourists to the airline’s flights to five cities in Uzbekistan. They also agreed to jointly promote the country’s tourism potential across Pegasus Airlines’ network, including destinations that currently have no direct air connections with Uzbekistan operated by domestic airlines.

Pegasus Airlines’ international route network via Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen Airport covers more than 100 destinations in 58 countries. This provides additional opportunities to attract transit visitors from Europe and the Middle East to Uzbekistan.

To develop new areas of cooperation, the parties also proposed establishing partnerships with Uzbek tour operators, launching joint marketing campaigns, organising a presentation of the airline and B2B meetings during the Tashkent International Tourism Fair (TITF–2026), as well as arranging familiarisation trips.

At the meeting with Şekib Avdagiç, President of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, the parties discussed ways to intensify cooperation between the business communities of the two countries. A preliminary agreement was reached on attracting international hotel brands from Türkiye to Uzbekistan and organising joint events with the participation of the Convention Bureau operating within the Chamber.

Following the meetings, the parties emphasised the importance of continuing efforts to strengthen tourism ties, expand investment cooperation and implement joint projects.

Turkish representatives were invited to participate in the 31st Tashkent International Tourism Fair “Tourism on the Silk Road” (TITF–2026), scheduled to take place in Tashkent on 25–27 November 2026, as well as the First International Tourism Investment Forum, which will be held for the first time as part of the fair.

The meetings are expected to contribute to strengthening Uzbekistan’s position in the international tourism market, generating new tourist flows, attracting foreign investment and further promoting the country’s tourism potential worldwide.