The investment potential of the tourism industry of Uzbekistan was presented in Samarkand

The ceremony of presenting a special guide to investing in the tourism industry “Tourism doing business. Investing in Uzbekistan” by the Secretary-General of the United Nations of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Zurab Poloikashvili to the Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan Aziz Abdukhakimov. This was reported by the press service of Tourism Committee under the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The event was held at the Expocenter of the «Silk Road Samarkand» Tourist Center during the Global Investment Forum within the framework of the 25th session of the UNWTO General Assembly.

For reference, “Investing in Uzbekistan” is a comprehensive tool designed for investors, policymakers, and stakeholders. It provides a pathway for making informed decisions, strategic investments, and collaborative efforts to develop a sustainable and inclusive tourism sector.

The event was attended by tourism ministers, foreign investors, tourism and international organization leaders from 160 countries, representatives from the private sector, ministries and agencies of the republic, as well as local and international media.

“President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has identified tourism as a strategic sector of the national economy. To facilitate wide-ranging investment in the tourism sector, a number of measures have been taken to stimulate the private sector to invest in hotel construction and other infrastructure projects. The tourism brand ‘Silk Road,’ tax incentives, and comprehensive structural and regulatory reforms undoubtedly make Uzbekistan an attractive ‘investment tourism project.’ The significant and tangible results achieved in attracting international business and investments have become the hallmark of the ‘Invest in Uzbekistan’ brand,” noted A. Abdukhakimov.

In turn, Z. Pololikashvili highlighted the significant investment potential of Uzbekistan outlined in the guidebook.

“The guidebook has been prepared by the World Tourism Organization in close collaboration with the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change and the Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The publication showcases the immense but often untapped tourism potential of Uzbekistan and offers a synthesis of intensive research and practical knowledge,” said the Secretary-General.

The investment guidebook was presented at the event by the Executive Director of UNWTO, Natalia Bayona, who emphasized the vast opportunities and favorable environment of Uzbekistan for investment prospects:

“Uzbekistan, a country characterized by its rich cultural heritage, is rapidly becoming a key tourist destination. The guidebook analyzes key performance indicators, investment trends, and policy dynamics to provide a comprehensive understanding of the investment landscape in Uzbekistan’s tourism sector.”

It is worth noting that the investment guidebook “Tourism doing business. Investing in Uzbekistan” underscores the impressive transformation that the country has undergone over the past decade towards an open and market-based economy. The report describes how the country’s abundant natural resources and cultural heritage, combined with attractive stimulation schemes offered for foreign direct investment (FDI), create a favorable business environment. Uzbekistan, known as a state of the Great Silk Road, stands out for its strategic geographic location in the heart of Central Asia and well-developed infrastructure facilitating travel and trade between continents.

“Objects of cultural heritage are in the center of Uzbekistan ‘s tourism sector. Uzbekistan Historical places of the cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and Shakhrisabz attract with their diversity. In short, a trip to Uzbekistan, an important part of the ancient “Silk Road”, inspires tourists to new adventures. To date, work is underway to bring each tourist destination to the highest point based on the opportunities available in Uzbekistan. We aim to invest for Uzbekistan’s tourism sector $3 billion. On a global scale, this is not a large amount: I know that The Peninsula Hotel, which opened last month in London, is the world’s first billion-dollar hotel project. I can assure you that we plan to build more than three such hotels in the coming years,” said Umid Shodiev, Chairman of the Tourism Committee.

The information for the guidebook was developed and provided for publication by the Investment Department of the Tourism Committee under the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan.