On October 16, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in the opening ceremony of the 25th session of the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the events of which will be held in the city of Samarkand until October 20.
In his speech at the main forum of the global tourism organization, in which representatives of more than 140 countries take part, the head of our state put forward a number of important initiatives for the further development of the industry.
The leader of Uzbekistan emphasized that today the tourism sector is one of the dynamically developing and promising sectors of the world economy. Uzbekistan also gives priority attention to the development of the tourism industry as part of large-scale and irreversible reforms to modernize the country.
In recent years, a visa-free regime has been introduced for citizens of about 100 countries, and a simplified procedure for issuing an electronic visa has been established for citizens of another 55 countries.
Favorable conditions have been created for conducting all types of tourism business, tax and customs privileges have been provided, credit and financial support has been strengthened. Despite the limitations associated with the pandemic, more than 800 infrastructure projects have been implemented within two years.
The hotel fund has been increased to 140 thousand beds, 70 new tourist routes have been opened, and 6 private airlines have started operating.
As a result, the number of foreign tourists arriving in Uzbekistan has increased by 2 times. Revenues from the export of tourist services increased 4 times. According to estimates, a total of 7 million tourists will visit our country this year. By 2030, it is planned to increase this figure to 15 million, and the flow of domestic tourists to 25 million people.
The large-scale work being carried out is recognized by the world community. In particular, Uzbekistan occupies high positions in international rankings as the safest and fastest growing tourism destination.
The Head of Uzbekistan said that within the framework of the Strategy being developed for the integrated development of tourism until 2030, priority attention will be paid to the creation of modern tourism and transport infrastructure. New high–speed roads and railways will be built, the fleet will be doubled, and the number of flights will be quadrupled. 30 large tourist clusters will be created in large cities and places frequented by tourists.
According to the national program “Pearls of Ancient History”, the number of cultural heritage sites attractive to tourists will be increased from 800 to 2.5 thousand, 745 cultural heritage sites will be restored, “open–air museums” will be created in 20 architectural monuments.
As part of the pilgrimage tourism program, the number of tourists will be increased more than three times compared to today’s figure.
The focus will be on the creation of joint tourist routes with the Central Asian states.
In general, as a result of the ongoing work on the development of tourism destinations, it is planned to create at least 1 million new jobs in the future.
At the same time, the leader of Uzbekistan noted that “today the most urgent problem of global tourism is to ensure a guaranteed system of tourist safety.” In order to strengthen a solid legal framework in the field of international tourism, the head of our state called for the development of a Global Code of Safe Tourism within the framework of the UN.
In the context of the growing problems of climate change, the urgency of adopting an International Action Program for the development of “green” tourism was emphasized.
As practical steps, it was proposed to establish the nomination “The Best City for the Introduction of Green Tourism” within the UNWTO, as well as to create a Global Laboratory of Green Tourism Startups on the basis of the Central Asian University for the Study of the Environment and Climate Change and the Silk Road International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage in Samarkand.
In order to further improve conditions for travelers with disabilities and develop inclusive tourism infrastructure, the President of Uzbekistan called for declaring 2025 the World Year of Inclusive Tourism and adopting a special declaration.
The expediency of creating a Council of Historical Cities for Tourism under the UNWTO, a platform for sharing the most advanced experience in the preservation of historical monuments, was noted. Readiness was expressed to hold the first meeting of the Council in the city of Bukhara.
The leader of our country announced the allocation of special grants for the training of specialists at the newly established International Academy of Tourism in Samarkand, which is a unique UNWTO educational institution for the training and advanced training of personnel in the field of tourism.
The head of Uzbekistan proposed to hold the next World Youth Summit on Tourism in Tashkent, which will become an important platform for young people to generate new ideas and projects for the development of the industry.
An initiative has been put forward to establish a special UNWTO international award for contribution to the promotion of the Silk Road brand. The Silk Road Thematic Office in Samarkand will be actively engaged in the implementation of this plan.
Attention was drawn to the importance of establishing a Global Media Campus and holding its forums every two years within the framework of the sessions of the General Assembly. Readiness to host the first media campus in Uzbekistan was expressed.
The leader of our country also called on the delegates to support the initiative to declare Samarkand the World Capital of Cultural Tourism and adopt an appropriate declaration.
At the end of his speech, the President of Uzbekistan wished the successful holding of the General Assembly and the achievement of new breakthrough results.
Source: President.uz