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PROSPECTS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOURISM SECTOR
IN UZBEKISTAN
Students: Turaqulova Sevara Abduraim qizi
Malikova Zarina Abdumurod qizi
Senior lecturer at the Faculity of Foreign Language at Jizzakh State
Pedagogical University (JDPU) : Safarova Dildora Mamatovna
Language and Literature at the Faculity of Foreign Language Jizzakh State
Pedagogical University
Abstract
.
This article analyzes the current state of the tourism sector in the
Republic of Uzbekistan, its existing opportunities and prospects for its further
development. The article considers ways to develop tourism as a factor of economic
growth based on the country's rich historical and cultural heritage, unique nature
and the potential of its hospitable people. The article also pays special attention to
the reforms being carried out by the government, infrastructure projects, the
introduction of modern technologies and attracting foreign investments. The author
of the article justifies the need to diversify tourism in Uzbekistan, give a new impetus
to the sector by expanding ecological and agro-tourism directions. The article will
serve as a useful source of information for researchers, those interested in the sector
and specialists who want to contribute to the development of tourism.
Keywords:Tourism in Uzbekistan, Development of the tourism sector ,
Tourist
opportunities,Cultural
heritage
sites,
Ecotourism,
Pilgrimage
tourism,Investment
and
tourism,Domestictourism,Tourisminfrastructure,Digital
tourism services,Tourism and economy,Innovations in tourism,New tourist
destinations, Hotelindustry,International cooperation
Uzbekistan has long attracted the most developed countries of the world with
its nature, rich historical and architectural monuments, and great scientists. For
centuries, Uzbekistan has been located on the route of the Great Silk Road for traders
and travelers, geographers, missionaries, conquerors and conquerors, and at the same
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time, Uzbekistan has become one of the most attractive tourist destinations due to its
entrepreneurial culture, history, traditions and interest in exotic countries. The people
of Uzbekistan are always proud of their architectural monuments that have survived
from their ancestors to this day. Many projects are being implemented in our country
in cooperation with the World Tourism Organization. After our country gained
independence, the tourism industry has been developing. In 1993, it became a member
of the World Tourism Organization. Since 2004, Samarkand has been operating as
the regional center of the World Tourism Organization on the Great Silk Road.
International tourism fairs, conferences and seminars are being organized in
cooperation. Our country's ancient cities, where history and modernity are combined,
its unique cultural and spiritual heritage, traditions and customs that reflect the
national identity of our people, attract with natural potential. In our country, an
atmosphere of peace, stability, mutual kindness and harmony, Uzbek hospitality,
modern hotels and resorts, high-quality services create favorable conditions for
tourists to have a meaningful vacation.
Our cities with a history of 3,000 years, such as Tashkent, Khorezm,
Samarkand, Bukhara, host international conferences, festivals, exhibitions and many
prestigious competitions. From the first years of independence, our country has paid
special attention to tourism, as evidenced by the decree of the first President of our
esteemed republic, Islam Karimov, dated July 27, 1992, “On the establishment of the
Uzbek National Tourism Company and the assignment of such tasks as the
development of tourism in our country, coordination of the activities of tourist
organizations, and training of personnel to meet world standards. According to the
Department of Coordination and Licensing of Tourism Activities of the Uzbek
National Tourism Company, over the past period, extensive work has been carried
out to modernize the tourism sector, improve the country's hotel and transport
infrastructure, and form a regulatory legal framework in the tourism sector, which is
the foundation for the development of the industry.”
Uzbekistan has been a member of the UN World Tourism Organization
(UNWTO) since 1993. In October 2011, at the UNWTO General Assembly held in
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South Korea, the Republic of Uzbekistan was elected a member of the Executive
Council of this organization for the second time. In 1994, representatives of 19
countries gathered at the Registan Square and adopted a declaration on the
development of tourism in Samarkand.
In 1995, at the initiative of Uzbekistan with the support of UNWTO, the
annual “International Tourism Fair” was established in Tashkent.
In 2004, an agency coordinating the development of tourism along the
transregional highway began its activities in Samarkand. In October 2010, an
international meeting of UNWTO on issues of tourism development on the Great Silk
Road was held.
As part of the implementation of the above-mentioned laws, the “Old and
Immortal Bukhara” memorial complex was created during the years of independence,
and the “Bukhara” international airport terminal, capable of serving 400 passengers
per hour, was put into operation.
It is no exaggeration to say that the meeting between the National Company
“Uzbektourism” and the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany on July 14,
2014 and, most importantly, the creation of the “National Tourism Symbol”, which
embodies images that express our nationality, such as mountain ranges, a crescent
moon and a dome, the opening of the official tourism portal of Uzbekistan
www.welcomeuzbekistan.uz at the National Company “Uzbektourism” on September
25, the “Uzbekistan Travel Workshop 2013” tourist fair, the organization of the
republican competition “Bakhshi, poets, movements and caliphs” at the initiative of
the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and many other
events are the products of our country’s efforts to develop tourism. Uzbekistan is
among the 10 leading countries in the world due to its more than 7,000 historical and
cultural monuments. The cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and Shakhrisabz are
included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The most important cultural and socio-
economic event in “world history” – the Great Silk Road – passed through these cities
and centers of culture. The recognition of Samarkand in 2014 as one of the fifty
countries worth visiting in the world, the opening of the 99th session of the Executive
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Board of the UN World Tourism Organization on October 2 at the Forum Complex,
is one of the beautiful achievements of Uzbekistan. This great city, with a rich history
of almost 3,000 years, attracts the attention of travelers and guests with its magnificent
architectural monuments, blue domes, and unique oriental appearance.
After gaining independence, the implementation of new principles of state
policy in the field of tourism became the basis for our current achievements.
According to the concept of sustainable tourism development of the World Tourism
Organization. “Sustainable tourism development meets the needs of tourists and their
host regions at the present time, while maintaining and improving their potential for
the future. Such an approach to managing all resources will result in the satisfaction
of economic, social and aesthetic needs while preserving cultural values, ecological
processes, and the life support system of biological diversity.” For information, it
should be noted that in the last 5 years, Uzbekistan has built and reconstructed 2,600
kilometers of modern highways with a total investment of $ 3 billion, as well as
numerous roadside infrastructure facilities, including campsites, gas stations, catering
and consumer services. By 2015, 102 million US dollars were allocated for the
development of tourism in the Kashkadarya region alone. The operation of 11
international airports in Uzbekistan, modern Airbus and Boeing airliners, Talgo, and
Afrosiyob trains there allow tourists to organize their trips quickly, conveniently, and
safely. Due to such conditions, in 2013, tourists from more than 70 countries of the
world visited our country, and their annual number exceeded 2 million. Today, more
than 200 thousand people work in the tourism sector, and the share of this industry in
the country's GDP has exceeded 2%. These indicators show that the Republic of
Uzbekistan has developed tourism not only during the years of independence, but
also, if it continues on this path, will be among the most developed countries in the
world in terms of tourism in the future. In recent years, the role of the tourism sector
in the economy of the Republic of Uzbekistan has been increasing. The rich historical
and cultural heritage of our country, unique nature, various climatic zones and the
values of our hospitable people serve as a solid foundation for turning Uzbekistan into
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an attractive tourist destination on a global scale. The leadership of our country is
implementing systematic measures aimed at developing tourism as a strategic sector.
Current state of the tourism sector According to the results of 2023, about 7
million foreign tourists visited Uzbekistan. This indicator indicates that the tourism
sector is undergoing a stable recovery process in the post-pandemic period. Domestic
tourism is also actively developing. As part of the “Travel around Uzbekistan!”
program, 21 million local citizens took part in various trips around the country.
Tourism infrastructure has also improved significantly. In recent years, the number
of hotels has increased from 749 to 2,800, and the total capacity of accommodation
facilities has increased from 37,000 to 128,000 places. This supports the growth of
tourism. Important regulatory legal acts in the tourism sector are being adopted. In
2018, a strategy for the accelerated development of tourism was developed by the
President's decree. It provides for the expansion of ecotourism, pilgrimage tourism,
health and cultural tourism. In 2023, 50 billion soums were allocated to promote the
tourism potential of Uzbekistan in foreign markets. This has led to the intensification
of international advertising campaigns. Today, new areas are developing, such as
ecological, agricultural (agro), extreme and gastronomic tourism. In particular, in
addition to cities such as Bukhara, Samarkand, Khiva, new tourist facilities are being
created in regions such as the Fergana Valley, Surkhandarya, and Karakalpakstan. In
addition, the introduction of digital technologies into tourism is creating opportunities
such as online booking, virtual guides, and providing services through mobile
applications. Uzbekistan has great potential for tourism development. The country's
unique natural and cultural heritage, a policy of openness to foreign tourists, the
conditions created by the state, and infrastructure developments are making the
tourism sector one of the priority areas of the economy. In the future, the potential of
tourism can be further increased by improving the quality of services, improving
personnel skills, and strengthening marketing strategies.
LIST OF USED LITERATURE:
1. Karimov I.A. High spirituality is an invincible force. – Tashkent: Ma’naviyat,
2008.
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2. Resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On measures for the
accelerated development of the tourism sector of the Republic of Uzbekistan” No.
PQ-4095, February 3, 2018.
3. Official website of the State Committee for Tourism Development of the Republic
of Uzbekistan – www.uzbektourism.uz
4. Tohirov A., Mamadaliyev A. Fundamentals of tourism. – Tashkent: “ECONOMY-
FINERY”, 2019.
5. Soliyev A.A. Tourism economics. – Tashkent: “Economy”, 2020.
6. Khamidov S. Geography of tourism. – Tashkent: “Generation of the New Century”,
2017.
7. Official reports and statistics of the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism
Organization) – www.unwto.org
8. Mamatkulov D. Development trends in the tourism sector in Uzbekistan. //
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