Alisher Abdualiev
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Ukraine
DOI https://doi.org/10.37837/2707-7683-2018-30
Abstract. The author describes the rapidly developing tourism industry in Uzbekistan. The country purports to become one of the most frequented tourist attractions in the world, as attested to by its many achievements. Since 1993, the country has been a member of the UN World Tourism Organization. The author dwells on the results of tremendous work on the overhaul of the tourist industry, transport and hotel infrastructure. The country has also seen the development and perfection of the appropriate legal framework and new national terminology standards. The author points out that the establishment of programmes for the development of tourism opportunities in various regions of Uzbekistan is ongoing, whereby nearly 450 projects are planned.
The regions work upon development of agri- and ecotourism. The measures on simplification and bringing to the world standards the visa process and registration of foreign citizens became highly important for Uzbekistan. The author concludes that such measures have resulted in an increase of number of tourists by 32,7 percent, as compared with the previous year. The export of tourist services has increased by 18,3 percent.
According to the author, the main attractions of Uzbekistan for foreign tourists are peace, stability, the atmosphere of mutual respect and welfare; the resources available allow developing all kinds of tourism. Nowadays, Uzbekistan can boast about business, recreation, historical and architectural, folklore and ethnographical, religious and other kinds of tourism. The author emphasizes ecotourism is an important direction. Uzbekistan is a nice place for randonneurs, fans of bicycle touring, etc.
The author pays attention to relations between Uzbekistan and Ukraine. It is said that the two states are in search of new forms of cooperation, with Ukraine being a tourist partner of Uzbekistan.
The author also describes the cognitive aspect of the aforementioned tourism, namely about peculiarities of Uzbek families. Respect for elder people, tea ceremony as an element of hospitality, rules of etiquette while staying in an Uzbek house, and interesting traditions all serve to multiply the desire to visit the sunny Uzbekistan.
Keywords: the Republic of Uzbekistan, tourist sphere, International Organization for Standardization (ISO), UNESCO World Heritage, Uzbekistan-Ukraine relations.