Historic Samarkand set to become world tourist capital in 2023
For the first time in the country’s history Uzbekistan to host a General Assembly of World Tourism Organisation
The 25th session of the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) will be held in 2023 in Samarkand. This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Minister of Tourism and Sports Aziz Abdukhakimov after the elections at the 24th session of the UNWTO, which took place in Madrid, Spain.
“For the first time in history, the General Assembly of the UN World Tourism Organization will be held in Uzbekistan. All this is the result of the policy pursued by the President of our country, efforts to develop the tourism sector and improve the country’s image on the world stage. It should be noted that holding a high-level event in Uzbekistan will undoubtedly attract the attention of the world media, which ultimately will serve to promote the country’s tourism potential and attract even more tourists to Uzbekistan”, said Aziz Abdukhakimov.
Uzbekistan and Portugal have applied to host the UNWTO General Assembly in 2023 as part of an event in Madrid. As a result of the elections, Uzbekistan gained the majority of votes and a decision was made to hold the next assembly in 2023 in the ancient city of Samarkand.
Today, the tourism sector in Uzbekistan is one of the most dynamically developing sectors of the national economy, which is confirmed by the adoption of more than 86 regulations at the level decrees and decrees of the President, the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan. These documents are aimed at improving the institutional framework, supporting infrastructure projects, creating a favorable business environment in the tourism sector, etc.
Samarkand is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2001. For many centuries, the city flourished as a trade, scientific and cultural center in the Central Asian region. Today, Samarkand remains an important center in modern Uzbekistan.
In 2020, Uzbekistan was awarded “Best emerging destination” by “Travel + Leisure India’s Best Awards” thanks to the city of Samarkand, also in the online edition of “The Huffington post” Samarkand included in the top 50 cities to be visited (The top 50 cities to see in your lifetime).
Large-scale works are being carried out in the city to develop tourist infrastructure, improve transport services, create favorable conditions for visitors, including tourists with disabilities.
The tourist complex “Samarkand Tourist Center” is being built on the territory of 212 hectares on the coast of the rowing canal of Samarkand. The total cost of the project is estimated at $ 353 million. The facility is scheduled to be commissioned in the first quarter of 2022. According to the project, the complex will include a two-story congress center, 5- and 4-star hotels, a recreation area with restaurants, shopping centers, an amphitheater and other social facilities. Now the construction of the congress hall “New Renaissance”, the caravanserai “Eternal City” and eight hotels is underway.
It should be noted that the UNWTO General Assembly is the most important biennial tourism forum, and the organization of such a high-level UN family event in Uzbekistan is the first historical event for the country.
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