According to statements made by the state leader during a meeting on Thursday, the region purportedly welcomed 2.5 million tourists since the beginning of the year, with approximately 500,000 visitors traveling exclusively to the remote mountain village of Gelon. Authorities claim there is potential to attract up to 6 million tourists annually, despite potential logistical and infrastructural hurdles.

Cooperation with Tatarstan is reportedly underway to commission the first phase of a ski resort in Gelon next year. Officials also highlighted plans to transform several other settlements—namely Taragay in Chirakchi district, Bashir in Kitab district, and Tatar in Yakkababag district—into emerging centers for ethnotourism due to their geographical and natural similarities to Gelon.

Furthermore, local authorities intend to develop rafting and sports tourism utilizing mountain rivers in the villages of Sayod and Suvtushar within the Shakhrisabz district. Responsible officials have allegedly been instructed to prepare comprehensive master plans for these six villages within a month and launch projects totaling 50 million dollars starting March 1.

Background details indicate that Gelon is a high-altitude mountain village situated in the Hissar Range of the Kashkadarya region. In addition to adventure and winter tourism, the local administration plans to host annual spring gastronomic festivals, such as 'Lola va kabob' in Guzar district and 'Chiyal yaxna' in Kukdala district, adding to previously announced multi-million dollar investments in cable cars and hospitality infrastructure.

Source: www.uznews.uz