Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 2 May, Chairman of the Committee on Tourism of Uzbekistan Umid Shadiev took part in the work of the III Tashkent International Investment Forum.

The forum included a panel session “Tourism and cultural heritage: the attractiveness of the Central Asian region for foreign investors.”

The panel session, moderated by Elena Son, executive director of the American-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce, also included high-ranking guests promoting the development of tourism in Uzbekistan - Arsenale General Director Paolo Barletta, IHG Hotels and Resorts Director Alexis Feuillat, Senior Vice -VISA President Christina Doros, head of Mangold Consulting Christoph Mangold, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Russia Dmitry Volvach.

Speaking at the panel session, the head of the Committee on Tourism noted that tourism in Uzbekistan is a dynamically developing sector of the national economy. “The tourism sector of Uzbekistan is defined by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev as one of the strategic sectors of the country’s national economy. In a short period of time, thanks to the consistent policy of the Government of Uzbekistan, there has been a sharp increase in the flow of foreign tourists to our country. Including, for the purpose of state financial support for increasing the number of hotels and improving the quality of service, many benefits and preferences were provided,” said Umid Shadiev.

The Chairman of the Committee on Tourism emphasized that additional measures have been taken to support the tourism sector from the state, which are aimed at ensuring the successful activities of the tourism industry and increasing their competitiveness in the international arena.

“As a result, last year the export of tourism services amounted to more than US$2 billion and occupies a leading position in the country’s foreign trade balance. In 2024, we intend to increase this figure to US$2.5 billion,” said Umid Shadiev.