In a move to enhance tourism ties between Uzbekistan and Georgia, a Protocol of Understanding was recently signed between the Uzbekistan Embassy in Tbilisi and Georgia's Check-in Travel, the National Information Agency of Uzbekistan reported. This development follows extensive talks and collaboration between the two nations, with a focus on promoting tourism, enhancing trade and economic cooperation, and fostering cultural and social exchange.
Ia Gedevanishvili, the head of Check-in Travel, expressed her deep admiration for Uzbekistan's rich cultural heritage, hospitable people, delectable gastronomy, and advanced infrastructure. Gedevanishvili, who visited Uzbekistan multiple times in 2023, pledged to share her positive experiences and unforgettable impressions with the people of Georgia. She aims to ignite the interest of Georgians in exploring the diverse historical regions of Uzbekistan, thus contributing to an increase in the flow of tourists between the two countries.
The signed document outlines the framework for cooperation, emphasizing mutual collaboration in tourism promotion, trade, and economic endeavors. Additionally, it highlights the importance of cultural and social exchange to further strengthen the ties between Uzbekistan and Georgia.
In a joint effort, Check-in Travel and Uzbekistan's Centrum Air successfully organized 33 charter flights to Tbilisi and Batumi in 2023. These flights originated from the historically significant cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Tashkent, demonstrating a commitment to facilitating convenient travel options for tourists. The agency, in collaboration with Centrum Air, expressed keen interest in organizing tourist trips to Uzbekistan for citizens of Georgia and other foreign countries, thereby expanding the horizons of travel opportunities.
Furthermore, an agreement was reached with Check-in Travel's leadership to conduct training sessions for Uzbekistan tour operators. The objective of these sessions is to familiarize them with the best practices in Georgian tourism and create a comprehensive action plan for the effective implementation of the Protocol of Understanding. This initiative is expected to enhance the capabilities of Uzbekistan's tourism industry and offer tourists a more seamless and enriching experience.
Uzbekistan's Tourism Landscape
Uzbekistan has witnessed a significant surge in foreign tourist arrivals, nearly tripling from 1.88 mn in 2021 to 5.2 mn in 2022. Despite this remarkable growth, the numbers have yet to return to the pre-pandemic level of 6.75 mn recorded in 2019. In 2022, the country's tourism services exports reached $1.6bn.
Setting ambitious targets for 2024, Uzbekistan aims to attract 7 mn foreign tourists, with tourism exports expected to reach $2.5bn. The nation has embraced a proactive approach to promote tourism, establishing a visa-free regime for citizens from 90 countries and introducing e-visas for citizens of 56 countries, including the United States.
Uzbekistan is actively promoting pilgrimage tourism. Recognized as the 13th country in the Global Muslim Travel Index 2023, Uzbekistan's city of Khiva has been declared the Tourism Capital of the Islamic World in 2024 by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. With over 1,200 shrines, Uzbekistan has the potential to attract a million pilgrims annually.
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