Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Today, on 11 November, a press conference was held in the conference hall of the Development Strategy Center dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Tashkent International Tourism Fair "Tourism on the Silk Road" (TITF-2019), which the organizers told what events will be held during the Fair.

Speakers at the press conference were: Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Aziz Abdukhakimov, acting Chairman of the State Committee for Tourism Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Akkulov, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Tourism, Fakhriddin Davrukov, Advisor to the Chairman of the State Committee for Tourism Lola Rakhmanbaeva and Director of the State Unitary Enterprise “National PR Center” Dilfuza Samandarova.

In January 2019, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed the resolution “On Additional Measures for Accelerated Tourism Development,” which determined the positive dynamics of its development in 2019. In particular, over 10 months of this year, the number of foreign tourists visiting our country amounted to 5.5 million people. This indicator compared to the same period last year is higher by 26% (for 10 months of 2018 - 4.4 million people).

As the Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Aziz Abdukhakimov noted in his speech: “The tourism market of Uzbekistan today is full of interesting and progressive events. Tashkent International Tourism Fair - "Tourism on the Silk Road" (TITF) - is the brightest, largest event in the tourism industry of Uzbekistan and the entire Central Asian region. "

TITF has been held since 1995 with official support from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Every year, tourism professionals from all over the world gather at the exhibition.

The purpose of the event is to create an international platform for the exchange of experience, dialogue and joint efforts to promote and develop the cultural, historical and natural heritage of the Silk Road, creating a platform for discussing plans and further possible cooperation.

The main organizers of the event are the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the Development of Tourism and the State Unitary Enterprise "National PR Center". This year, companies from Korea, Egypt, Malaysia, India, Kyrgyzstan, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, China, the Republic of Belarus, Indonesia and the UAE have confirmed their participation in the fair. At the same time, Georgia will participate in TITF for the first time.

Also in the list of foreign participants are guests from Singapore, Turkey, Israel, Korea, Belgium and France.

From our country, various hotels, travel companies, secondary special and higher educational institutions in the field of tourism and other organizations will take part in the fair. Traditionally, the International and National Pavilions will be located at the venue of the Uzexpocenter NEC.

Presentation stands of the regions of Uzbekistan will be presented in the National Pavilion, demonstrating the peculiarities of the national culture and tourism potential of each region of the country, as well as the exposition “City of Artisans”.

The stands of international transport companies, government organizations, diplomatic missions, tourist and resort destinations, both in Uzbekistan and abroad, will be located in the International Pavilion.

The Fair will include such vibrant events as the Oriental Bazaar, the Silk Road Taste Festival of National Dishes, the International Forum of Tourism Brand Ambassadors of Uzbekistan, the presentation of the Shakhrisabz International Festival of National Clothing, a workshop for craftsmen and an exhibition of products, the first tourist forum of Uzbekistan and Russia and other events.

In addition, during the event, awarding ceremonies will be held for the winners of the national contest on creating social videos on the theme “Tourism in Uzbekistan”, the winners of the republican contest PhotoBattle “Selfie & Tourism”, and at the end of the fair - the annual graduation ceremony “Nomination of the tourist season”.

Uzbek cuisine, one of the richest and most colorful in the East. Located at the crossroads of caravan roads of the Great Silk Road, Uzbekistan for many centuries has absorbed the most interesting and unusual recipes of dishes from various countries. Within the framework of the exhibition

TITF-2019, on the adjacent territory of the exhibition complex, the Festival of National Dishes “Taste of the Silk Road” will be held, the main theme of which will be a gastronomic journey along the Great Silk Road. As part of the festival of national dishes, the best chefs of the country will conduct culinary master classes.

TITF-2019 includes a number of international and local projects in the field of tourism and culture, with an emphasis on the development of the business environment. So, from November 13 to 15, a series of presentations will be held as part of the exhibition, both tourist destinations in Uzbekistan and foreign countries.

Among them, presentations on the topic “Innovations in the field of tourism”, “Benefits and preferences provided to businesses in the tourism sector”, presentations of the mobile application “Official Guide of Uzbekistan”, projects in the field of smart tourism, etc.

This year, 50 representatives of foreign media from 17 countries are planning to participate in the Hosted Buyers program.

From 13 to 15 November, the trade stalls of the participants of the East Bazaar exposition will work. A fair in the national style will be organized on the territory of the Uzexpocenter exhibition center to demonstrate the color and features of trade in the bazaars of Uzbekistan. The event will be attended by artisans from the regions of Uzbekistan and folk groups.

The Silk Road in historical projection is of unique cultural value to humanity, as well as a link in the development of tourism, the economy and the social and cultural transformation of all countries. The UNWTO and other authoritative international organizations of the UN pay special attention not only to the study and preservation of the cultural, historical and natural heritage, but also to the creation of favorable socio-economic conditions for the development of tourism on it.

According to a study conducted by UNWTO by the world’s largest Trip Advisor website, more than 80% of travelers in the world are aware of the Silk Road, and Forbes, the international magazine, has recognized the Silk Road as one of the most powerful brands.

Uzbekistan occupies a special place here, which rightfully retains the status of “the heart of the Silk Road”, and which is an active participant in the transcontinental project of the UN, UNWTO and UNESCO to revive tourism on the ancient, historic Silk Road.