Tourism contribution to country’s GDP is estimated at 1.8 per cent
19.08.2011

 The “Uzbektoutrism” National Company summed up tourism industry results for the first half-year 2011.

The period marked stimulation of measures aimed at tourism sector growth, small and private businesses support, creation of new tourism products, as well as tourism infrastructure development in the regions.  The arrangements undertaken by country’s tourism authorities resulted in 27 per cent increase of tourist services growth rate, and 6.6 per cent increase of tourist services volumes growth rate.

Since the beginning of the year the number of entities involved in tourism activities has considerably increased. Within the first half-year, 71 travel companies and 29 hotels have been licensed for tourism activities.

At present, tourism industry of Uzbekistan is represented by 782 travel companies, 294 hotels, a great number of camping sites and holiday camps, as well as 450 tour operators.

In order to promote Uzbekistan tourist product in foreign markets there has been launched a package of measures. Under the new marketing project – arrangement of “Mega-info-tours’ to Uzbekistan, which is aimed at increasing  tourist volumes to the country, 214 new foreign tourist companies from Italy, France, Japan, China, UK, Russia, Holland, Hungary, Singapore and other countries have been engaged.

Such tours make for extending tourism season and lengthening the duration of stay of tourists in our country, as well as for demonstrating to tourism industry stakeholders that Uzbekistan is an attractive country at any time of the year and each season offers something interesting.

According to State Statistics Committee data tourist services export index within the first half-year 2011 accounts for $ 226.2 million, which exceeds the level of the same period of the previous year by $ 52.0 million, that is 29.9 per cent.  The tourism industry contribution to country’s GDP is estimated at 1.8 per cent.

Republic of Uzbekistan has been the member of UNWTO since 1993.  Within these years there have been signed 45 interstate, 44 regional and 17 ministry agreements in the field of tourism industry international cooperation.

Uzbekistan today boasts more than 4,000 historical and architectural monuments, with majority of them (90 per cent) dating to the historical periods of Zoroastrianism and the Temurids.  It is noteworthy that a number of sites of Uzbekistan cultural heritage are inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The country’s recreational resources make it possible to develop various types of tourism and diversified tours, as well as to make Uzbekistan a year round tourist destination. Effective improvement of services and creation of modern transport-communication infrastructure favour the development of tourism industry.

Firuza Akobirova, Spokeswoman  for “Uzbektourism” National Company