Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - On 4 November, Turkestan (Kazakhstan) hosted the International Tourism Forum “One way - One history”. The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan Aktota Raimkulova, Chairman of the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Akkulov, representatives of diplomatic corps and the media.

“Since 2016, tourism in Uzbekistan has been identified as one of the strategic sectors, close cooperation and joint projects with our neighbors are one of the most significant and priority areas. Therefore, one of the most significant is the implementation of the project to create the Silk Road zone (introduction of the Silk Visa regime). Today, my colleagues and I will discuss this issue again in order to quickly reach a specific result,” said Aziz Abdukhakimov in his welcoming speech.

Statistics were also provided on the number of tourists, the provision of incentives to investors and information on reforms in the field of tourism in Uzbekistan. “Since 2018, by a decision of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, further measures have been taken to develop the tourism infrastructure, diversify the tourism product and attract tourists to Uzbekistan.

Active work is underway to revive tourism on the transcontinental Silk Road continent. Large rating agencies recognize Uzbekistan as one of the dynamically developing countries in the field of tourism, the dynamics of tourism development shows the highest growth in the entire history of the development of Uzbekistan,” the acting chairman of the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the Development of Tourism Abdulaziz Akkulov said.

In addition, the chairman of the State Committee for Tourism told about liberalization of the visa regime, about certain types of visas and the development of bilateral relations. The forum discussed topical issues of tourism development of countries along the Silk Road, new opportunities and trends in digitalization and marketing in the tourism sector, as well as the role of today's youth in the economy of the future.

The forum was attended by over 300 guests, including ministers of foreign countries, professionals from the tourism industry at the international level, near and far abroad, state authorities, representatives of the international business community, tourism organizations, associations and investment companies. It should be noted that within the framework of the forum on 4-5 November, the Silk Road Craftsman-2019 International Artisans Fair is held.

On the first day, the fair was visited by the First President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, Vice Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Aziz Abdukhakimov, deputy akim of Turkestan region and representatives of diplomatic corps, as well as more than 200 artisans from Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Iran, India, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Of Uzbekistan. It is expected that the fair will help strengthen friendship and cooperation between nations, revive and preserve the traditions of craftsmen and craftsmanship schools.

On the second day of the forum, it is expected that forum guests will go on an information tour of the sights of the Turkestan region.