Uzbekistan is elected to the UN World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) Executive Council
13.10.2011

Within the last few years, due to constant attention from the country’s authorities, the tourism industry of Uzbekistan has become one of the most dynamically developing sectors of the country’s economy. The fact that in the course of the 19th Session of the UNWTO General Assembly held in South Korean city of Gyeongju on October 9th, 2011 Uzbekistan has been elected the member of UNWTO Executive Council from the European Regional Group with a term of membership until 2015 , is a vivid illustration of worldwide recognition of the efficiency of the country’s integrated activities aimed at the tourism industry growth.

United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) appreciates highly the leading role of Uzbekistan in strengthening the international cooperation in what concerns development of Silk Road tourism infrastructure, the country’s actions on research and popularization of the rich spiritual and cultural heritage, restoration and preservation of ancient monuments and architectural complexes.

Lying at the very heart of the Great Silk Road, Uzbekistan today boasts more than 4000 historical and architectural monuments. It’s the country where the invaluable material and spiritual heritage bequeathed to us by our great ancestors is carefully preserved. The ancient monuments of the country’s key tourist centres, such as Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Shakhrisabz, are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Uzbekistan is not only a land of unique ancient architectural monuments, scenic nature, and rich cultural traditions of its people, but also the country with well-developed tourism infrastructure represented by modern hotels, hospitality service of international standard, a constantly extending range of tourist services.

The following figures are the convincing evidence of growing interest of tourists in visiting Uzbekistan. In 2010 more than 1.3 million foreign tourists visited our country (6.9 percent more than in 2009). The first half-year of 2011 showed the increase of tourist services growth rate by 27 per cent. The number of business entities involved in tourism activities is constantly increasing.

Currently, 782 tourism companies, 294 hotels and about 450 tour operators represent tourism sector of Uzbekistan. Tourism is one of the significant factors of the country’s sustainable development. It contributes to people’s well-being, creation of new jobs, and strengthening of international relations. In this connection in Uzbekistan today there has been adopted and successfully implemented a wide range of measures aimed at the most efficient utilization of tourism potential. Year after year the services have been radically improved, the new tourist itineraries have been worked out, transportation links have been reconstructed or created anew. Opening on the eve of the 20th anniversary of Independence Day of a high speed rail line linking Tashkent and Samarkand and operated by modern “Afrosiab” train is also aimed at increase of tourist flow to Uzbekistan.

At the same time, tourism is one of those few spheres whose growth rate depends much on the country’s foreign-policy activity. Being aware of this absolute truth, Uzbekistan actively develops cooperation with leading tourism organizations, participates in various international forums, and initiates regularly the measures aimed at intensification of cooperation in this challenging direction. In the context of strengthening of the mutually beneficial partnership with foreign organisations, of special importance is the high level of relations that have been established between Uzbekistan and the UN World Tourism Organisation.

Since 1993, Uzbekistan is the member of UNWTO which includes more than 150 countries. Within 18 years of fruitful cooperation Uzbekistan hosted many important events held under the aegis of this organization. Among them a special mention should be given to the First International Silk Road meeting ( Samarkand, 1994), Seminar on preservation of cultural heritage ( Bukhara, 1996), Fourth International Meeting on the Silk Road ( Bukhara, 2002).

Opening in 2004 of UNWTO regional office in Samarkand became an important event for tourism sphere of the region. The aim of the office is to coordinate the activity of national tourism administrations of the Silk Road countries. The office created unified information database which comprises valuable data on tourist attractions and monuments of the Silk Road countries.

The next UNWTO meeting, the Fifth International Meeting on the Silk Road, which took place on October 8-9, 2010 in Samarkand, with participation of UNWTO Secretary General Taleb Rifai, gave a powerful impetus to promotion of the Silk Road brand in the international tourism market. Jointly with UNWTO, Uzbekistan Tourism Administration worked out the “Silk Road Action Plan 2010/2011” which was adopted at the UNWTO meeting “Silk Road Tourism Development”.

Uzbekistan attributes great importance to organization and holding of events dedicated to development and improvement of tourism sphere. Tashkent International Tourist Fair “Tourism on the Great Silk Road”, which has been held annually since 1995, is a major international forum both in Uzbekistan and the whole Central Asia.

This year, about 100 leading tourism companies from 25 countries of the world confirmed their participation in international tourism fair “Tourism on the Great Silk Road”, which will take place in Tashkent on November 2-4. The event gives tourism professionals and experts a good opportunity to learn about the latest achievements of Uzbekistan’s tourism industry. Within the framework of the fair the participants will be able to exchange their views on the ways of tourist flow stimulation, and to discuss the new joint projects.

Election of Uzbekistan to UNWTO Executive Council will undoubtedly have a strong positive impact on the tourism development in the vast Silk Road region; will allow the country to considerably contribute to the work of this authoritative organ of UNWTO and to assist in achieving the high goals of the Organisation.