In recent years, tourism has become one of the strategic areas of development in the Republic of Uzbekistan, playing an increasingly important role in the economy, as well as in strengthening international ties, cultural exchange, and public diplomacy. In this context, the development of cooperation in the field of tourism with brotherly countries that are members of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) is of particular importance to us. These ties go beyond purely strategic interests, as they are based on common historical and cultural roots, spiritual closeness, shared traditions, and worldviews.

Since Uzbekistan joined the Organization of Turkic States in 2019, we have seen a steady positive dynamic in cooperation in the tourism industry. A platform for regular dialogue between relevant departments has been formed, and joint projects are being implemented to help create a common tourism space. One of the most significant steps in this regard was the creation of the OTS Tourism Council, which coordinates efforts to develop joint routes, exchange experiences, improve service quality, and develop tourism infrastructure.

The establishment of the Unified Tourist Route “The Great Silk Road” is one of the key projects demonstrating tangible cooperation. The route unites the most important cultural and historical centers of the Turkic civilization – from Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva to Baku, Almaty, Bishkek, and Ankara. Tourists traveling along this route have a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the rich heritage, architectural monuments, traditions, and national cuisine of our countries. Uzbekistan occupies a special place in this route as a territory where many world-renowned monuments of Turkic culture are concentrated. In recent years, large-scale work has been carried out to restore cultural heritage sites, modernize infrastructure, and improve logistics for guests.

Training professional personnel for the tourism industry is yet another priority area of our cooperation. Uzbekistan actively cooperates with universities in Turkey, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and other OTS countries on student exchanges, internships, seminars, and joint research. Our goal is to equip tourism professionals with modern approaches to management, marketing, and digital technologies. Such cooperation strengthens not only professional ties but also cultural understanding between nations.

Measures aimed at facilitating the visa regime deserve special attention. Thanks to bilateral agreements between Uzbekistan and the OTS countries, visa-free travel has been implemented, which has contributed to a significant increase in tourist flow between the states. In the future, the introduction of a single electronic visa is being considered, which will simplify the process of traveling to several countries of the Turkic world within one tourist package. We also support the initiative to create a common digital platform for tourists, featuring information on routes, booking services, reviews, and a calendar of cultural events.

Participation in international exhibitions and forums remains an important part of promoting joint tourism potential. Uzbekistan actively showcases its offerings at tourism fairs and proudly hosts such events. As such, the Forum of Tourism Ministers of the OTS member states in Samarkand was a landmark event that provided an opportunity to discuss pressing issues facing the industry and develop long-term strategic guidelines for further cooperation.

All this primarily contributes to a constant increase in the flow of tourists from the member states of the Organization. Thus, over the past year, the total number of tourists arriving from the OTS region exceeded 6.15 million people.

The Turkic world has every reason to become one of the most attractive and sustainable tourist destinations in Eurasia. The richness of history, cultural diversity, natural beauty, and hospitality of our peoples form a unique offer in the global tourism market. Uzbekistan is ready to continue to play an active role in the development of this common goal, initiate new projects, strengthen institutional ties, and promote the formation of a single tourism space of the Turkic states.