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On International forum
“The ways to develop and promote cultural tourism
in the countries of Silk
Road”
On October 23 this year the International forum “The ways to
develop and promote cultural tourism in the countries of Silk Road” took
place in the city of Tashkent.
The International forum was organized by the Permanent mission of the
Republic of Uzbekistan to UNESCO along with the support of the World Tourism
Organization (UNWTO).
A main goal of International forum was to search for the new ways to develop
cultural tourism and actively promote it, as well as exchange of experience
between delegates in this sphere.
About 100 delegates from 50 countries and international organizations, as
well as the representatives of national and foreign mass media took part at
the Forum. Deputy Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization,
ambassadors, permanent delegates to UNESCO, experts from Azerbaijan,
Algeria, Bulgaria, Italy, Iraq, China, Malaysia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria,
Russia and Japan, as well as diplomatic corps accredited in Uzbekistan were
among the delegates to the forum.
The participants of the Forum have said that a special attention is being
paid in Uzbekistan towards developing tourism. As a result of large-scale
reforms accomplished under the leadership of President Islam Karimov a
tourism infrastructure of Uzbekistan has fundamentally changed. The new
directions of tourism have been established; modern hotels have been built;
ancient historical monuments and sacred places of worship have been restored
and bettered; and the new roads have been laid.
Resolution of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan of April 17, 2006 “On
measures to enhance development of sphere of services in the Republic of
Uzbekistan in 2006-2010” became an important factor for developing of the
sphere of tourism, as well, including cultural tourism.
A Permanent Delegate of the Republic of Uzbekistan to UNESCO Ms. Lola
Karimova, who took a floor at the forum, has noted that the Great Silk Road
was not only a trade route but also a tool of cultural and enlightenment
cooperation. Uzbekistan’s participation in its restoring is especially
significant.
Uzbekistan is famous all around the world with its historical monuments,
places of pilgrimage and leisure. Uzbekistan is capable to host about one
million tourists a year. From this point of view this conference serves as a
fine opportunity to exchange views on fuller realization of tourism
potential of not only Uzbekistan but also all countries along the Great Silk
Road.
The delegates to the Forum have also underscored that comfortable
geographical location, as well as modern transport and communication
infrastructure promote development of tourism industry in Uzbekistan. At the
moment, there are over 4 thousand historical monuments and places of rest in
the country. More than 50 enterprises on manufacturing souvenirs are now
operating. In 1993 Uzbekistan had 20 hotels, but at the moment their number
exceeds 300.
The participants of the Forum have particularly noted that the Great Silk
Road promoted development of not only trade but also cultural and
enlightenment cooperation. For example, specialists have revealed that in
the ancient times there were Buddhist temples on the territory of
Uzbekistan, and mosques – in China. This testifies to long-time scientific
and cultural relations between the two people.
The delegates from Japan, Russia, China, Afghanistan, Bulgaria, Iraq and
other countries exchanged views on the prospects of cultural tourism and the
role of the Great Silk Road in extending cultural ties between peoples. The
delegates discussed stable development of cultural tourism, cooperation and
exchange of experience, improving tourism infrastructure, active and broad
propaganda of cultural tourism, supporting programs on researching
peculiarities of the Great Silk Road, assisting in elaboration of general
tourist routes along Great Silk Road, and other.
A resolution was adopted at the Forum. It is aimed at supporting development
of cultural tourism in the countries of Great Silk Road.
From October 24 to October 28 the delegates of International forum will have
an opportunity to get familiarized with the richest cultural and historical
heritage of Uzbekistan, and in particular, they will travel along the cities
of Uzbekistan enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage List – Samarkand,
Bukhara and Khiva.
City of Tashkent
October 24, 2008
Press Service of MFA
Republic of Uzbekistan
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