President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has proposed the implementation of a large-scale project called the 'Touristic Ring of Central Asia' (Markaziy Osiyo turizm halqasi). The initiative was announced during his speech at the opening ceremony of the 59th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The head of state emphasized that amid global instability, millions of tourists are seeking safe destinations, and Central Asia has the necessary potential to attract them. Over the past decade, the flow of foreign tourists to Uzbekistan has increased sixfold, reaching 12 million people. This achievement was made possible by simplifying visa procedures, reforming transport logistics, and prioritizing security. Special attention is being paid to diversifying tourism offerings, ranging from pilgrimage and cultural tourism to extreme and medical routes.

The foundation for a unified regional route will be iconic sites such as the Center of Islamic Civilization in Tashkent and the Imam Bukhari Memorial Complex in Samarkand. Similar 'points of attraction' are being actively developed in neighboring countries, allowing tourists to visit the main sights of all Central Asia in a single trip.

Implementing this strategy will require not only synchronizing services and infrastructure but also actively attracting investments to integrate national tourism systems into a single regional complex. The project is expected to be carried out with the support of the ADB and international partners.

Source: podrobno.uz