Uzbekistan- The Next Hot Destination of World Tourism
In this engaging Interview, delve into a captivating conversation with Aziz Mirdjalilov, the Head of the Marketing Department at Uzbekistan Tourism Committee. He shares insights about Uzbekistan’s vision for tourism, its focus on diverse tourism products, and its dynamic partnership with India. Moreover, Aziz Mirdjalilov highlights their progressive visa processing system and strategies to attract young and adventurous travelers to the beautiful landscapes of Uzbekistan.
- What is your vision for improving tourism in Uzbekistan?
Our vision is to showcase the cultural and historical richness of Uzbekistan to foreign tourists, especially destinations like Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and others. We want to demonstrate our ability to interact and provide a high-quality experience to visitors, utilizing the unique heritage of the ancient city of Samarkand, which is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site
- What aspects/products of tourism are you focusing on?
We are currently focusing on various types of tourism, including cultural tourism, architectural tourism, pilgrimage tourism, and traditional handicraft tourism. Uzbekistan boasts a rich history, culture, and traditions, such as engraving on copper, wood, and plaster-based material, jeweler’s arts, carpet making, ceramics, ornamental embroidery, gold embroidery, decorative currying of tanned leather and the Silk Ikat dress.
- How do you view the partnership between India and Uzbekistan in terms of promoting tourism?
The India-Uzbekistan partnership plays a crucial role in our tourism market. We actively collaborate with media, promotion companies, bloggers, and tourist companies in India. We participate in numerous tourism events in India and frequently invite Indian guests to participate in tourism events in Uzbekistan. Moreover, we have increasing number of direct flights connecting India and Uzbekistan.
- Can you provide information about the visa processing system currently in place?
We have implemented visa-free regimes for more than 90 countries, including electronic visa regimes for over 50 countries. India is included in these countries with visa-free and electronic visa options available. The electronic visa, however, incurs a fee.
- Do you have any specific plans or activities in place to attract young tourists to Uzbekistan?
Absolutely. We are focused on diversifying tourism types and have introduced new options such as sports tourism, adventure tourism, winter tourism (including skiing and skydiving), and helicopter skiing. The tourism sector is considered a strategic sector in our country, and we are not only investing in infrastructure such as roads, airports, and hotels but also developing innovative ideas to attract young tourists. We also emphasizes the importance of education in tourism and work towards sustainable tourism practices aligned with the green agenda. Uzbekistan’s diverse landscapes, including lakes, rivers, mountains, deserts, and ancient cities, provide ample opportunities for various tourist activities. Additionally, our focus on human resources will further enhance the tourism sector.