Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 21 February 2025, the VIII International Forum of Uzbekistan’s Tour Guides 2025 opened in Tashkent, coinciding with World Tourist Guide Day. The event, themed "Tourism and Excursion Activities: New Challenges and Development Paths," brings together key industry professionals and stakeholders.

The forum is organized by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change, the Committee for Tourism, and the Research Institute for Tourism Development. Co-organizers include the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan, the Singapore Institute of Management Development in Tashkent, Tashkent State Transport University, Kokand University, and the international scientific journal Science and Innovation.

More than 500 participants are attending the event, including over 200 professional tour guides, interpreters, and instructors from across Uzbekistan, as well as government representatives, international associations, scholars, and experts from 15 countries.

The opening ceremony featured speeches by Minister of Ecology Aziz Abdukhakimov, President of the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) Sebastian Frankenberger, and representatives from leading universities and organizations.

One of the forum's highlights was a masterclass by Oksana Chernyshova, President of the Guild of Perfumers, titled "St. Petersburg Walks in Scents," which drew significant interest from aspiring tour guides.

The forum will continue until 22 February, featuring conferences, roundtable discussions, and a memorandum signing ceremony with international organizations. The event is expected to lay a strong foundation for the development of Uzbekistan’s excursion and tourism industry.