Experts look into options of building ‘tourist mahallas’ of standard design in the regions.
A mechanism of creation of agro-tourist clusters with unique appearance has been actively applied worldwide. In conditions of Uzbekistan, they might be yurt camps, ancient settlements in Khiva, artisan townships in Chust and Margilan, tours along Alexander the Great routes, Buddhist sanctuaries in Surkhandarya.
The authorities currently consider the initiative of construction of standard design tourist mahallas, which will be built in the traditional style with the use of modern construction materials. Rooms will be leased to the farmers who are ready to receive tourists in the framework of rural and ethnographic tours, demonstrating the traditional way of life, crafts and cooking regions.
The creation of sample associations in the form of agricultural ethnic villages on the territory of farms is another interesting area, which is currently studied by related authorities and regional administrations. It is planned to organize tasting sessions of traditional national culinary products – sweets and dried fruits, wine products, fresh vegetables, fruits, grapes and melons, as well as pilav, kebab and other known Uzbek dishes.
It is planned to accumulate all the proposals, and develop a special state program on the development of agricultural and rural tourism within two years.
According to experts, the projects would diversify the tourist product range in Uzbekistan to meet the growing demand in the international market for a variety of tourist services in rural areas. In addition, that would be an important step in providing employment and small business development in the regions.
