Delegation of Uzbekistan took part in the forum of UNWTO Silk Road Programme
10.10.2011

On 10 October, 2011, in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea, the delegation of Republic of Uzbekistan, headed by Chairman of “Uzbektourism” National Company Rustam Mirzaev, participated in the forum of UNWTO Silk Road Programme

The UNWTO Silk Road Programme forum, which was held in the framework of the 19th session of UNWTO General Assembly, gathered the representatives of UNWTO Silk Road Programme Member States. The forum participants discussed the new prospects of Silk Road tourism development.

UNWTO Silk Road Programme Manager Alla Peressolova informed in details of the activities carried out within the framework of the Silk Road Action Plan 2010/2011. Thus, the pilot promotional clip on Silk Road tourism was produced, a Silk Road Media Mart was organized at WTM in London 2010, a special pavilion was arranged at ITB in Berlin in March 2011, the situation on reference to Silk Road in Internet was studied, the Programme logo was formalized, the Programme task force was created, and the material on visa facilitation in Programme Member States was elaborated and distributed.

The short-term priority objectives include the deeper analysis of the brand and its marketing tools designing, creation of Silk Road website and strengthening of Silk Road brand in the international markets. Besides, at WTM in London in November this year it is planned to hold the first Silk Road Task Force Forum and a meeting of tour operators on speeding up the process of Silk Road network creation.

In her address Alla Peressolova emphasized the leading role of Uzbekistan in the Silk Road tourism development.

Representative of Georgia thanked UNWTO and the Government of Uzbekistan for the successful organization of Silk Road conference which took place in Samarkand in 2010.

Chinese representative pointed out that China fully supports the Silk Road Programme and attaches great importance to the development of tourism in the Western Regions of China.

Delegation from Afghanistan appealed to the forum to involve the country in the issues relating to Silk Road tourism development.

The representative of Armeniaexpressed the opinion that the Programme enables the Member States to undertake joint actions aimed at reaching the international markets, and suggested that Integrated Information Centre should be created under the Programme, with the key objective of the centre being that of broad informative- advisory activity.

Delegation from Kazakhstaninformed the forum on the activity of Kazakhstan aimed at construction on the territory of the country of a 2700-kilometre-long highway along the Silk Road. On completion of the highway construction it is planned to create a proper side-road tourism infrastructure. The Kazakh party also offered to discuss the issue on mutual recognition of visas issued by Silk Road Programme Member States.

Representative of Ukraine noted that Silk Road Programme is a grandiose and valuable initiative from the historical point of view. Therefore it is essential that historians and archeologists are involved in the activities of the Programme. He offered to hold a number of scientific conferences and workshops in 24 countries- the Programme Member States, and suggested involvement of talented young scientists in these arrangements.

Japanese delegation informed the participants about the country’s intention to hold in 2012 of a research of Marine Silk Road with involvement of Nara - ancient capital of Japan. He emphasized that in the museums of Nara there are many Silk Road artifacts. These are various items from caravans and ships. Such countries as Indonesia, Vietnam, Taiwan and others could be involved in the research.

The head of Uzbek delegation informed the forum on the considerable measures undertaken by Uzbekistan in the sphere of tourism development and the huge contribution of the country to the promotion of Silk Road tourism. He also offered to create a Programme slogan and to install all along the Silk Road special information steles advising tourists that they are traveling along the legendary Silk Road.

UNWTO Silk Road Programme manager Alla Peressolova invited the forum participants to take part in the event dedicated to the Silk Road. The event is to take place in November 2011 in London.

Firuza Akabirova
Press secretary “Uzbektiourism” National Company