The 11th Session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which was held in the capital of Azerbaijan on June 27-29, adopted the decision to award the status of the tourism capital of the Islamic world in 2024 to the ancient Uzbek city of Khiva, the press office of the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan reported.
The “rivals” of Khiva in this competition were Abu Dhabi (UAE), Sanliurfa (Turkey), Lagos (Nigeria) and Dushanbe (Tajikistan). Thanks to the reforms launched at the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan to preserve the cultural and historical heritage, simplify visa regime and support the historical districts of cities, the members of the Special Commission selected Khiva as the future centre of tourism of the Islamic world.
“During the Year of the Tourism Capital of the Islamic World, the city of Khiva will be hosting a meeting of tourism ministers and heads of departments of tourism from 57 OIC Member States, science conferences, workshops and photo and art exhibitions, spotlighting the potential of pilgrimage tourism in the Republic of Uzbekistan,” Head of the Uzbek delegation at the 11th OIC Session, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Heritage Aziz Abdukhakimov said.
