tourism industry - The Times Of Central Asia

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Infrastructure Development

Leading UAE Hotel Chain Explores Options in Uzbekistan

A world-famous chain of hotels in the UAE is exploring entering the Uzbekistan market. The announcement follows talks between Uzbek diplomats and Phillip Crouse, vice president of the United Arab Emirates' Jumeirah Group, and an introduction of the company's team to the recent reforms implemented in Uzbekistan, as well as programs and regulations to increase the country's tourist attractiveness, existing tourist routes, flights between the two countries, and hotels. Representatives were also presented with options to privatize or reconstruct large hotel complexes in the country. The entry of the Jumeirah brand into the Uzbekistan market will further increase the country's number of luxury hotels and enhance its ever-expanding tourist market. Over the past seven years, the number of foreign tourists visiting Uzbekistan has tripled, the volume of tourism services has increased fivefold, and the number of hotels and accommodation facilities has increased tenfold. Last year, more than 6.6 million tourists visited the country, providing a revenue of some 2.1 billion dollars, and according to recent reports, Uzbekistan aims to increase the number of foreign tourists to 15 million by 2030. Jumeirah, part of Dubai Holding, is a global luxury hotel company with 26 properties, including resorts, city hotels, and serviced residences across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.

international tourism

Uzbekistan Aims to Attract 15 Million Foreign Tourists by 2030

In an article, “Uzbekistan Attracts More and More Foreign Tourists to the Country”, published on the popular online portal Tiger’s Media in Poland, Dunyo reports that Uzbekistan plans to increase the number of foreign tourists to 15 million by 2030. As stated by Tiger's Media, “this number is twice as much as the 6.6 million tourists who came to the country in 2023. In 2023, tourism brought about $2.1 billion to the economy and created about 70 thousand new jobs." The portal adds that “to attract the attention of young travelers, Uzbekistan is also attracting bloggers and social network activists with more than 10 million subscribers,” Uzbekistan is located on an important part of the ancient Silk Road. Cities of the republic, such as Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, important trade centers in ancient times, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, known for their architecture, including madrasahs, mosques, and bazaars. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that tourism revenue made up 2.35% of Uzbekistan’s GDP last year. Other countries in Central Asia are likewise looking to boost their tourism industry. In June, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke bluntly about infrastructure weaknesses that must be fixed. Kyrgyzstan, meanwhile, is focusing on its rugged, mountainous landscape, citing riding and hiking and “hunting with eagles” among its main attractions.

Tourism

Turkish Influencers to Help Open Kyrgyzstan to the World

A group of popular Turkish bloggers arrived in Kyrgyzstan on September 24 to promote the country’s tourism potential. Meeting the bloggers upon arrival at Bishkek’s Manas International Airport, the airport's chairman Manasbek Samidinov commented: “Today, famous bloggers from the Turkish Republic, followed by millions of subscribers, arrived in Kyrgyzstan. From September 24 to 27, they will get acquainted with our country, explore its natural and cultural attractions, and personally experience the warm hospitality of the Kyrgyz people. The bloggers will show Turkey the best of Kyrgyzstan: our unique nature, culture, and hospitality, contributing to tourism development and opening our country to the world.” On September 13, an agreement was signed to establish twinning relations between the Kyrgyz resort town of Cholpon-Ata by Lake Issyk-Kul and Turkey’s Antalya. The twinning relations between the two resort cities will open up new prospects for interaction in various areas, including investment in tourism and infrastructure projects. Kyrgyzstan is expected to receive more than 10.5 million foreign tourists in 2024, compared to 8.5 million tourists who visited the country in 2023. Around 6.1 million foreign tourists visited Kyrgyzstan in the first eight months of 2024. Most came tfrom Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia, followed by visitors from Turkey, China, India, Germany, Pakistan, the United States, and South Korea. The tourism industry accounts for 2.7% of the country's GDP.

Tourism

Tajikistan to Host First International Tourism Exhibition

To coincide with World Tourism Day, Tajikistan will host its first International Tourism Exhibition (DITE) in Dushanbe from September 25 to 27, 2024. Initiated by the city's head, Rustami Emomali, the key aims of the event are to promote the development of the tourism industry and the formation of a regional tourism market, and attract foreign investment. The exhibition will bring together Tajikistan's tourism companies as well as representatives of tourist industries in countries including Austria, Pakistan, Iran, Russia, Belarus, Turkey, China, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Qatar, and Uzbekistan, and will be complemented by an International Tourism Forum and B2B meetings where new cooperation agreements will be signed. In addition, consulting sessions will provide opportunities for hotel businesses and guides to improve their levels of service and professionalism in the industry. As reported by the Committee for Tourism Development of Tajikistan to ASIA-Plus, 748.3 thousand foreigners, of which 91.9% were residents of CIS countries, visited Tajikistan within the first six months of this year. The number of tourists totaled 580.5 thousand, 422,614 of whom hailed from neighboring Uzbekistan, rose by 19.1% compared to the same period last year.