On April 26, President of Uzbekistan Shavat Mirziyoyev held a meeting via videoconference on the challenges in the tourism industry, the press office of the President reported.
As the pandemic is weakening and travel restrictions are being lifted, the need arises to revitalise the tourism industry and bring it to a new level. President Mirziyoyev said a number of shortcomings hinder tourism industry development and impede the industry from reaching its full potential.
In particular, the President noted the shortage of hotel rooms in a number of regions, as well as interesting tourism projects and routes for young people. The tourist potential of geothermal springs, which Uzbekistan abounds with, as well as museums, remains underused.
New projects which will attract tourists, including those from foreign countries, need to be launched to boost the tourism development. In this regard, measures should be taken to popularize the natural and historical monuments of the country, modernize tourism infrastructure – build campsites and catering points and develop swimming areas. A package of services should be designed for foreign tourists visiting Tashkent, including visits to aqua parks, concert stages, museums and other entertainment venues.
The festivals and contests taking place in Uzbekistan, particularly international ones, need to be popularized among foreign tourists.
With the aim to support local entrepreneurs, travel agencies will receive tax and loan benefits. It is also planned to provide reimbursement of up to 20% of the expenses incurred by government employees while on domestic tourist trips, as well as 15% of the cost of air, railway and bus tickets, 20% of hotel accommodation costs and 50% of the cost of visits to museums and other cultural sites incurred by other categories of citizens by government agencies.
Also, foreign companies will be offered a 50% discount under the Pilgrimage Tourism programme during the summer months.
