Uzbek leader approved a program of priority measures for development of tourism for 2018-2019, aimed at improving regulatory and legal regulation and development of international cooperation in this area, ensuring availability of travel to Uzbekistan, development of tourism and related infrastructure in all regions of the country, diversification of the tourist product and creation of new tourism facilities, as well as the promotion of the national tourist product in the domestic and foreign markets.

The special attention will be paid to creation of the modern tourism infrastructure in the regions of Uzbekistan.

The program envisages construction of recreation areas in the city of Khanabad of Andijan region, five new modern recreation areas on the shores of the Aidar-Arnasoy lake in the Farish and Arnasay districts of the Jizzakh region, four-star hotels in the city of Shakhrisabz and Karshi of Kashkadarya region, a hotel complex in Chimgan mountain range of Bostanlyk district of Tashkent region, as well as a beach holiday zone on the southern shores of Tudakul Lake for domestic tourism and on the shores of Aidarkul Lake for foreign tourists in Navoi region.

The document notes that Uzbekistan will simplify visa procedures and organization of pilgrimage tourism for foreign tourists.

The Uzbek leader created a permanent working group, which will develop proposals on step-by-step simplification of visa and registration procedures for foreign citizens based on development of relations with foreign countries and trends in world tourism market, situation in the region and world.

In order to further develop international cooperation in tourism, it is planned that the State Committee for Tourism Development and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan will develop mutually beneficial agreements and treaties with a number of foreign countries.

One of the most important aspects of the Resolution is also its focus on creating an environment for entrepreneurial activities in the field of tourism.

The business entities will receive long-term loans (up to 15 years) for construction of new and modernization of existing hotels and other tourist infrastructure facilities. It is planned to provide flexible conditions for loan repayment and interest, taking into account the capital intensity and seasonal congestion of hotels, to business entities.

It is also planned to set acceptable fees (commissions) for services rendered to business entities for transfer of funds in foreign currency, lease of terminals, collection of cash in freely convertible currency and other services related to operations in foreign currency.

Till 1 January 2020, hotels released from payment of the single social payment from the payroll fund of qualified foreign specialists involved as management personnel, as well as income of qualified foreign specialists invited as hotel management personnel - from the payment of personal income tax.