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UDK 911.3
GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES OF TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
IN BUKHARA REGION
Zaynutdinova D. K.
PhD Associate Professor of the Department of Ecology and Geography
Bukhara State University Republic of Uzbekistan, Bukhara city
e-mail:
Nematova Kh. Kh.
Master's student of 1 course of group 10-1-Geo-24,
Bukhara State University
e-mail:
Annotation:
Tourism is rapidly developing as a major source of income in many countries
worldwide. In this context, it is essential to study the potential, current state, development, and
prospects of this sector in our country, particularly in the southwestern part of Uzbekistan—
Bukhara region. A comprehensive analysis of the region’s unique natural and geographical
features, diverse natural resources, and breathtaking landscapes granted by nature will help
identify effective ways to utilize them for tourism development. At the same time, special
attention is being paid to effectively utilizing the existing tourism potential of the region in
accordance with the priority tasks outlined in Uzbekistan’s national tourism development
programs. By addressing existing challenges and implementing promising projects, efforts are
being made to ensure the dynamic growth of the tourism sector in the region.
Keywords
:Local tourism, international tourism, desert tourism, ecological tourism, wellness
tourism, adventure tourism, recreational resources, golden triangle.
Annotatsiya:
Turizm dunyoning ko‘plab mamlakatlarida asosiy daromad manbai sifatida jadal
rivojlanmoqda. Shu nuqtai nazardan, mamlakatimizda, xususan, O‘zbekistonning janubi—
g‘arbiy qismi-Buxoro viloyatida ushbu sohaning salohiyati, bugungi holati, rivojlanishi va
istiqbollarini o'rganish zarur. Mintaqaning noyob tabiiy-geografik xususiyatlari, xilma-xil tabiiy
resurslari va tabiat tomonidan berilgan hayratlanarli landshaftlarni har tomonlama tahlil qilish
ulardan turizmni rivojlantirish uchun foydalanishning samarali usullarini aniqlashga yordam
beradi. Shu bilan birga, O‘zbekistonning turizmni rivojlantirish milliy dasturlarida belgilangan
ustuvor vazifalarga muvofiq mintaqaning mavjud sayyohlik salohiyatidan samarali
foydalanishga alohida e’tibor qaratilmoqda. Mavjud muammolarni hal etish va istiqbolli
loyihalarni amalga oshirish orqali mintaqada turizm sohasining jadal o‘sishini ta’minlashga
harakat qilinmoqda.
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Journal:
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page 1196
Kalit so‘zlar
:Mahalliy turizm, xalqaro turizm, cho‘l turizmi, ekologik turizm, sog‘lomlashtirish
turizmi, sarguzasht turizmi, rekreatsiya resurslari, oltin uchburchak.
Аннотация:
Туризм стремительно развивается как один из основных источников дохода
во многих странах мира. В этом контексте важно изучить потенциал, текущее состояние,
развитие и перспективы этой отрасли в нашей стране, в частности в юго-западной части
Узбекистана – Бухарской области. Комплексный анализ уникальных природно-
географических особенностей региона, разнообразных природных ресурсов и
живописных пейзажей, дарованных природой, поможет определить эффективные пути
их использования для развития туризма. В то же время особое внимание уделяется
эффективному использованию существующего туристического потенциала региона в
соответствии с приоритетными задачами, изложенными в национальных программах
развития туризма Узбекистана. Решая существующие проблемы и реализуя
перспективные проекты, предпринимаются меры для обеспечения динамичного роста
туристической отрасли в регионе.
Ключевые слова:
внутренний туризм, международный туризм, пустынный туризм,
экологический
туризм,
оздоровительный
туризм,
приключенческий
туризм,
рекреационные ресурсы, золотой треугольник.
Introduction:
Tourism is one of the important sectors of the international service
market, not only being a powerful tool for economic development but also serving as an
effective means to promote the national traditions, values, and history of a specific region. The
tourism and recreational potential of various countries is a complex concept, and its
development is closely related to various factors. This is largely connected to the natural-
geographical characteristics and types of natural resources of each individual country, which
form the basis of tourism potential, as well as the possibilities of historical and cultural heritage
objects that are diverse in origin and essence. At the same time, several external factors with
political, economic, legal, social, and psychological characteristics significantly affect the final
indicators of the attractiveness of this sector. Currently, the growing importance of tourism
services worldwide is linked to its increasing role in people’s lives and its impact on the
economies of many countries. The emergence of additional services in tourism creates new job
opportunities and allows for the organization of accommodation, catering, transport services,
and other supplementary services for tourists.
There are two main types of tourism: domestic (local) and international (foreign)
tourism. Domestic tourism is when individuals can travel, relax, and engage in other tourist
activities freely within their own country (without visas, customs barriers, etc.). Local tourism
and international tourism develop in close relation to each other. However, in local tourism,
issues like communication, choice of food, transport, and other problems are relatively simpler.
International tourism, on the other hand, can be organized along a designated route for a
specific purpose, either in groups or individually. Here, first and foremost, tourists have the
opportunity to get acquainted with the country’s unique historical monuments, cities, culture,
arts, customs, and traditions, as well as enjoy the exceptional and beautiful landscapes of nature.
Object of Research and Methodology:
In the years of independence, the rapid
development of the tourism services sector in our country has been defined as one of the
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targeted tasks and priority directions of state policy in the tourism sector in the future: “... to
give tourism the status of a strategic sector of the economy and turn it into a leading force for
the comprehensive and rapid development of all regions and interconnected sectors, as well as a
powerful tool for sustainable development”. In the development of tourism and recreation,
comprehensive measures are being taken to fully utilize the existing opportunities, considering
the natural-geographical, historical-cultural, and national characteristics of recreational areas. In
particular, according to the Presidential Decree of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. DP-60 dated
January 28, 2022, which approved the “On the development Strategy of the New Uzbekistan for
2022-2026”, the 35th goal is “to increase the number of domestic tourists to over 12 million and
the number of foreign tourists visiting the country to 9 million” under the program “Travel
around Uzbekistan” [1]. In this regard, setting priorities and tasks for the rapid development of
the tourism sector in our country, increasing its role and share in the economy, and improving
the tourism infrastructure are of great importance. This program also highlights the rapid
development of the tourism sector in Bukhara region alongside busy tourist areas such as
Samarkand, Khiva, and Tashkent.
It is known that every year, numerous tourists from different parts of the world visit
Bukhara, which has become famous worldwide for its sacred city status and as a gem of the
ancient East, to see it at least once and enjoy its beauty. Taking this into account, the
government has been paying special attention to improving the tourism infrastructure of
Bukhara region. In the 184th paragraph of the program, the set of measures that need to be
implemented for the development of the sector in this region is outlined. As a result, it is
expected that the number of foreign and domestic tourists in Bukhara region will reach 5
million and export volume will reach 600 million USD during 2022-2026. This opens new
opportunities for the development of the sector, as well as outlines several necessary reforms
for implementation. On a regional scale, over the past five years, the flow of tourists to the
region has increased by 15-20%. The majority of tourists come from foreign countries such as
Spain, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the United Kingdom. Bukhara region has significant
untapped potential for tourism development, and in this regard, it is essential to recognize that
the region’s natural-geographical location, climate, relief conditions, water resources, and
biodiversity are directly related to offering various types of tourism, such as business,
conference, cultural-educational, ecological, desert, extreme, medical, and folklore-
ethnographic tourism.
According to reports by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), tourism can
become a powerful tool for reducing inequality if it involves the local population and all key
stakeholders in its development. Tourism serves as an effective means of economic integration
and diversification, as well as poverty reduction. This can affect people's earned income and
standard of living, the development of the local and rural economy, as well as the natural and
cultural environment. In addition, it can contribute to urban renewal and rural development by
enabling people to thrive in their places of origin [2].
Results and Their Analysis:
Although Bukhara region is famous for its rich historical
and cultural heritage, the importance of natural-geographical factors in developing its tourism
potential is immense. At this point, it is worth describing the natural-geographical factors of the
region.
Bukhara is predominantly located in a flatland area, where desert and oasis landscapes
prevail. The majority of the region is occupied by the Kyzylkum Desert, which makes up 88.6%
of the total area. The region is located almost in the center of Central Asia’s deserts. The area
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has the climatic features of southern (subtropical) deserts, characterized by an extremely
continental desert climate. There are significant temperature differences between day and night,
as well as between summer and winter. The average rainfall is around 90-150 mm. The
potential evaporation from the surface reaches 2000-2300 mm. The evaporation significantly
exceeds the amount of precipitation, which is the main reason for the formation of the sharp
continental climate. These climatic conditions create opportunities for various tourist activities
in different seasons of the year. In particular, the mild temperatures in spring and autumn make
them ideal times for relaxation, tourism, field excursions, and nature exploration. Due to its
location in the desert zone, Bukhara does not have natural water sources. The main water
supply comes from the Amu Darya River through the Amu-Bukhara and Amu-Karakul canals,
and the Zarafshan River. With the intelligence of our ancestors, the Bukhara, Karakul, and
Korovulbozor oases were formed, along with irrigated lands, historical and architectural
monuments, cotton, grain, horticulture, vegetable growing, viticulture, and livestock farming
systems, which developed unique agricultural traditions. Additionally, artificial lakes such as
Karakir, Oyoqog’itma, and Katta Tuzkon serve as resting places for birds, offering picturesque
views and creating opportunities for the development of fishing. Establishing small tourist areas
in hydrographic regions to organize recreational activities like fishing, boating, nature walks,
and bird-watching is effective [3].
The region also has large reserves of underground water, which vary in mineralization,
pressure, and sometimes temperature. In some areas, these waters come to the surface, forming
therapeutic springs. These springs are important objects of medical tourism. One such object is
the famous Sitorai Mohi Khosa sanatorium, built on the site of a mineral spring with water
emerging from a depth of 1089 meters at +45°C. Historically, Bukhara was one of the main
centers of the Great Silk Road, serving as a stopover for many travelers. This geographical
advantage continues in modern tourism. Through the development of transport infrastructure,
there are favorable opportunities to turn the region into an international tourism hub. The
tourism in the region is interconnected with other tourist destinations in Uzbekistan. Bukhara,
Samarkand, and Khiva cities are integrated into the “Golden Triangle”, which is recognized for
promoting international tourism. Together, these areas can create a major tourism route. By
analyzing some statistical data related to the development of tourism in Bukhara region, it is
possible to study the current state of the tourism services sector, identify existing problems, and
develop effective solutions. Below, we present some of the results of our research in this regard
(pictures 1).
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Picture 1. The activity of hotels and other tourist accommodations in the cities and districts of
Bukhara region (2023).
One of the main problems in the development of the tourism sector in Bukhara region is the
underdeveloped tourism infrastructure at the district level and the uneven distribution of hotel
accommodations. 87% of the region’s hotels and other tourist accommodations are located in
Bukhara city . In districts such as Jondor, Korovulbozor, and Peshku, there are no hotels or
similar accommodations for tourists. However, these areas have many historical landmarks and
natural recreational resources. Based on the existing opportunities in all regions of the province,
it is crucial for the development of the sector to build comfortable and modern accommodations
for tourists [4].
In 2023, a total of 5,377 tourist packages were sold in Bukhara region, with 72% of
them sold to citizens of Uzbekistan within the country; 17% to foreign citizens of Uzbekistan;
7% to citizens of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) within Uzbekistan; and 4. %
to citizens of other foreign countries within Uzbekistan (pictures 2). In conclusion, it is worth
noting that promoting the charming nature of our tourist attractions, our ancient and rich
historical heritage, and our national traditions and values to the world through the intelligent
use of modern information technologies will effectively increase the sales of tourist packages
within Uzbekistan. This will create opportunities for the growth of tourism revenue.
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Picture 2. The volume of tourist packages sold in Bukhara region in 2023.
The following areas of tourism development can serve as a basis for new promising
projects in the region:
1. Ecotourism – Studying the unique flora and fauna of desert regions will spark interest
in ecological and scientific tourism. This includes organizing ecological tours and nature
watching excursions, as well as bird-watching programs in special areas.
2. Health Tourism – The region has hot springs and mineral water sources, providing
great opportunities for health tourism. These locations can be used for therapeutic and
preventive purposes by establishing sanatoriums and thermal water centers.
3. Cultural and Historical Tourism – Promoting historical monuments based on the
geographical location. Bukhara, which was once one of the main centers of the Great Silk Road
and a stopping point for many travelers, continues to benefit from this geographical advantage
in modern tourism.
4. Adventure Tourism – Developing activities such as camel caravan and desert tours,
air sports, cycling, and stargazing at night.
5. Water Sports and Recreation Tourism – Organizing nature watching activities to
observe the diverse wildlife along the Zarafshon River and other hydrographic objects (Amu-
Bukhoro, Amu-Korakul canals, and other lakes). Additionally, offering entertainment services
like boat trips, fishing, and preparing special fish dishes would be exciting.
Increasing the number of new tourist routes and improving existing facilities across the
Bukhara region requires comprehensive research into the region's natural-geographical features,
enhancing the attractiveness of tourist resources, and introducing necessary high-quality
infrastructure in response to current demands [5].
Conclusion:
Bukhara region has significant potential for tourism development due to its
rich historical heritage, unique geographical features, and cultural significance. However, the
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region still faces challenges such as the underdeveloped tourism infrastructure in some areas
and the uneven distribution of accommodations. By strategically utilizing modern technologies
to promote the region's natural beauty, historical landmarks, and cultural values, there is a great
opportunity to increase tourism and its economic impact.
The development of various tourism sectors, including ecotourism, health tourism,
cultural and historical tourism, adventure tourism, and water sports, will not only attract more
tourists but also enhance the overall tourism experience in the region. The implementation of
high-quality infrastructure, new tourist routes, and improved services will play a key role in
realizing the full potential of Bukhara as a major tourist destination in Uzbekistan.
List of References:
1.
Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, dated January 28, 2022. “On the
Strategy
for
the
Development
of
New
Uzbekistan
for
2022-2026”.
https://lex.uz/ru/docs/6968143
2.
Tourism in the 2030 Agenda.
https://www.unwto.org/tourism-in-2030-agenda
3.
Usmanov M.R. Turizm geografiyasi. O‘quv qo‘llanma. SamDU, 2019. - 265 b.
4.
Data from the statistical office of the Bukhara region.
5.
Зайнутдинова Д. К., Нематова Х. Х. Некоторые аспекты развития туризма в
Бухарской области. «Экономика и социум», №1(128), 2025.
. «Институт
управления и социально-экономического развития», Россия, г. Саратов.
