The company said that some 488 are tour operators and tour agencies and 294 are hotel operators.

Over 90% entities of tourism sector of Uzbekistan are small private tourism firms and companies, the company added.

Largest number of tourism entities is registered in Tashkent (56%), Samarkand region (18%) and Bukhara region (7%). Tashkent is capital of Uzbekistan, while Samarkand region and Bukhara region are main tourism destinations.

In the first six months of 2011, some 42 businesses received license to work in tourism sector and five companies were liquidated.