Culture, Tourism Minister of Uzbekistan to QNA: Visit of HH the Amir is Historic, Launches Mutual Touristic Cooperation

 

Tashkent, June 06 (QNA) - HE Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Uzbekistan Nazarbekov Ozodbek Akhmadovich described the visit of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to Uzbekistan as a historic event, which will start a new chapter in joint cooperation relations.

    Talking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), His Excellency said that Qatar-Uzbekistan bilateral relations are distinguished and are experiencing remarkable development in terms of investments and the economy, with hopes of launching joint projects that would adorn these already distinguished bilateral relations. He added that Uzbekistan is looking forward for the visit of HH the Amir and considers it a significant visit to establish a new and more special relation on many fronts particularly in all economic, commercial, and tourism fields, as the two countries enjoy huge potential in these vital sectors, including culture and tourism.

The Minister explained that the opening of the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Tashkent on May comes as a confirmation of Qatar and its leadership’s interest in strengthening cooperation relations with Uzbekistan, thus, the Uzbek side considers that launching a new partnership with Qatar a greatly important priority currently. He stressed that Uzbekistan is open to the world, especially when it comes to tourism, where the country provides foreign tourists with many facilities, including entry visa exemptions for many countries, such is the case with Qatar. He explained that this is due to the fact that tourism is a basic engine of the economy in light of which Tashkent seeks to strengthen and develop touristic cooperation with the State of Qatar.

    He considered that Uzbekistan and Qatar, which have enormous potential in the tourism sector, are not taking advantage of all of the opportunities available to enhance cooperation between both countries in this sector, stressing the importance of working now on developing cooperative approach in the tourism sector and thinking seriously about starting direct flights between the two countries who signed an air services agreement in Tashkent in 2021, enabling the airline companies of both sides to operate any number of flights between them.

    He said that starting direct flights between both countries would encourage them to pay closer attention to touristic cooperation, especially that according to World Tourism Organization reports, Uzbekistan is one of the most open countries to international tourists, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, something that speaks of the enormous touristic and cultural assets and potential of the country.

    HE the Minister of Culture and Tourism of Uzbekistan stated that his country has prepared well for the visit of HH the Amir of the State of Qatar, by putting together various agreements and memorandums of understanding in the tourism and cultural fields ready to be signed by both sides. The Minister pointed out that the two countries can conduct more joint tourism and investment cooperation, especially that the two have extensive experience in the field, enabling them to excel.

    HE the Minister of Culture and Tourism of Uzbekistan praised Qatar’s tourism sector and its facilities represented by various major projects, whose importance shone during the State of Qatar's hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, mesmerizing the world with what Qatar has to offer in terms of hospitality and touristic attractions and facilities.

    HE Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Uzbekistan Nazarbekov Ozodbek Akhmadovich explained that the State of Qatar's strategy to develop the tourism sector stems from a great vision, with the country working towards attracting higher number of international tourists visiting annually, an appreciable goal and one that Qatar shares with Uzbekistan, with both countries setting similar plans in materializing that goal.

    He added that the Qatar’s approach of holding regional and international sporting and cultural events in an effort to bolster the tourism sector, is another commonality between Qatar and Uzbekistan, having the same approach and vision in advancing tourism, something that provides both sides with huge cooperation opportunities. His Excellency revealed his intention to prepare a study that includes a set of proposals which he will present to the Qatari side, consisting of feasible project plans for cooperation in the tourism and investment sectors.

    In this context, he highlighted a touristic center established in the city of Samarkand, with the Uzbek government intending to build a similar one in the city of Bukhara, offering Qatari investors a great opportunity to invest and establish touristic projects. He added that Uzbekistan possesses many projects to build hotels and resorts in mountainous areas, in addition to the country’s intention to permit hunting activities, such as falconry. These are projects that can be made available to Qatari investors.

    HE Minister of Culture and Tourism of Uzbekistan Nazarbekov Ozodbek Akhmadovich pointed out, at the end of his interview with (QNA), that the 25th session of the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) will be held in Samarkand in October of this year, encouraging a great momentum of tourism in the city. He indicated that this would serve as an occasion for Qatar’s tourism sector to participate in the session and learn more about Uzbekistan touristic projects which will be presented during the session.

    The number of international tourists to Uzbekistan reached around 6 million in 2022, with Tashkent aspiring to raise that number to 10 million tourists by the end of this year. Domestic tourists on the other hand reached 10 million in 2022, with plans to get the number up to 20 million domestic tourists by the end of this year. It should also be noted that the number of international tourists to Uzbekistan stood at only about two million until 2017. (QNA)