On June 3, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a video conference on the measures of improving tourism infrastructure in regions and increasing the flow of foreign tourists.
In a difficult global economic environment, it is necessary to support industries that create more jobs and increase investment and exports. The field of tourism has this potential. Every dollar invested in this sector in the future brings 3-4 times the income. Every new job creates two more jobs in other industries.
In our country, there are many historical and cultural objects and picturesque corners. Tourist complexes and resorts are created on their basis. Procedures for the tourist business are simplified. Tourist police are established to ensure the safety of tourists.
In October last year in Samarkand, within the forum of the World Tourism Organization, investment agreements worth US $2 billion 300 million were reached. Among them are many projects aimed at the development of tourist infrastructure and the creation of new facilities.
In particular, foreign investors began to build a ski complex on an area of 3 thousand hectares between the villages of Gelon and Sarchashma in Shahrisabz district. A master plan for Miraki village is also being developed.
This area is notable for both its history and nature. In addition, the Economic Cooperation Organization declared the city of Shahrisabz as a touristic capital.
Therefore, a number of measures were identified for the development of tourism in this area. First of all, a tourist cluster will be created in the city of Shahrisabz and Shahrisabz district. The 33-kilometer-long Hisorak-Gelon and Hisorak-Sarchashma roads will be expanded and repaired. The Chirakchi-Shurkuduk road will be repaired, which will shorten the travel time from Samarkand to Shahrisabz.
Three hydropower plants with a capacity of 24 megawatts will be launched on the Oksu River, which passes through Gelon. As a result, there will be no electricity problems in the tourist cluster. The Shahrisabz College of Trousim will train 100 specialists per year on the Swiss programme.
It was noted that similar work could be organized in 20 other areas with high tourist potential, such as Akhangaran, Urgut, Nurata, Yangikurgan, Pap, Chartak, Baysun, Saryasia, Bahmal, and Fergana. The responsible persons were instructed to develop a master plan with the help of foreign consultants.
As it is known, the international ethno-festival “Baysun Spring” was recently held. A four-star hotel, an amphitheater and a US $6 million yurt were built in Bibibishirin makhalla. Entertainment shows were held. As a result, the number of tourists to Surkhandarya region increased by 4 times.
Every year the interest of youth in extreme tourism grows. The task was set to adopt a program to develop this direction.
In summer, there is a natural increase in demand for water parks and swimming pools. Within the allocated funds, swimming pools are being built in hotels. However, in the regions, there are no modern water parks that would attract tourists.
Tourist opportunities around natural lakes are also not exploited. For instance, on the shores of Lake Sechankul and Lake Achinkul in the Mirishkor region, there is not a single place for recreation. The Aydar-Arnasay Lake system is very suitable for fishing and ecotourism.
On this basis, it was decided to auction the land for the construction of water parks and projects on the banks of the lakes.
After the pandemic, the demand for medical and health tourism increased. Last year, more than 60 thousand foreign tourists underwent treatment in sanatoriums and medical institutions of our country. Over the past five years, the number of private clinics has increased, but only two of them are internationally certified.
As a reason, the lack of a holistic approach to the complex development of medicine and health tourism was indicated. Exports of medical tourism alone can generate US $300 million a year.
In this regard, the launch of the “Medical Hospitality” program was announced based on the experience of South Korea, Turkey and India.
From now on, the expenses of private clinics for international certification and participation in foreign exhibitions will be covered by the budget. Value-added tax will be returned to foreign patients attending clinics. Doctors who travel abroad to provide advertising and diagnostic services will be compensated for transport and subsistence costs.
To this end, instructions were given on the international certification of hospitals and sanatoriums, as well as the attraction of qualified managers.
The importance of establishing permanent and specific dates for traditional festivals and further facilitating border crossings was noted.
Another obstacle to tourism development is transport. Abroad tour operators buy tickets at least six months in advance, so travel packages are cheaper. We have plane and train tickets that are difficult to get, they cannot be found one or two months before the trip.
In this regard, the Ministry of Transport was instructed to increase the number of international flights and to launch a unified online platform providing information about all flights and the possibility of buying tickets.
The President noted the need to launch a global advertising campaign demonstrating all the tourist potential of our country.
A competition will be held to create content for the national tourism brand. International gastronomic festivals, which will promote Uzbek cuisine, with more than 300 national dishes will be organized this year in Tashkent and next year in Khiva. The mission was to improve the electronic visa system and launch its mobile application.
The advertising campaign will make extensive use of social media alongside television. Information tours will be organized for bloggers with a large audience.
At the meeting, the Head of State held an open dialogue with industry entrepreneurs. Based on their problems and proposals, instructions were given on financial support for operators of tourism services, extension of the VAT refund period in the form of a subsidy, expansion of the geography of exports, creation of domestic, training middle-level professionals and upgrading their qualifications abroad.
The President proposed the creation of a public council for the development of tourism, which was warmly supported by the representatives of the industry and entrepreneurs present at the meeting.
Resonsible officials reported plans to attract 11 million foreign tourists this year and increase tourism exports to US $ 2,5 billion.