Uzbekistan plans to raise exports of tourism services to $20 bn over the next five years, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said in an address to parliament and the nation.
In Samarkand, new pedestrian routes and bridges will link Bibi-Khanym, Registan, the Amir Temur mausoleum, Ulugbek Observatory, Shah-i-Zinda and the Afrosiyob Museum into a single tourist area. In Shahrisabz, the first phase of the large Gelon tourism complex will be launched, while the Pap district will develop the Arashan mountain resort zone. Khiva’s Ichan-Kala is set to become an immersive smart museum city.
Authorities also plan to create a major tourism ring around archaeological sites in Khorezm and Karakalpakstan to boost regional appeal and encourage longer stays by foreign visitors.
To stimulate demand in services, the government will allocate 85 trln soums ($7.05 bn) in loans and 9 trln soums ($747 mln) in subsidies. Support for education services is also prioritised, with 7 trln soums ($580 mln) earmarked from the state budget.
