Uzbekistan and Turkey have signed an Agreement and an Action Plan aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in the tourism sector. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of Uzbekistan.
The signing ceremony took place in Ankara with the participation of the Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of Uzbekistan, Aziz Abdukhakimov, and the Minister of Culture and Tourism of Turkey, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy.
Growth in Tourist Exchange
Recent years have seen a significant increase in tourist exchanges between the two countries.
Turkish tourists visiting Uzbekistan:
- 2018: 41,299 people
- 2019: 63,539 people
- 2021: 44,168 people
- 2022: 75,559 people
- 2023: 106,516 people
- 2024: 149,146 people
Uzbek citizens visiting Turkey:
- 2021: 170,636 people
- 2022: 305,831 people
- 2023: 187,749 people
- 2024: 229,968 people
Expansion of Air Connectivity
The number of flights between Uzbekistan and Turkey has significantly increased from 62 flights per week in 2023 to 106 flights currently.
One of the key initiatives is the "Million + Million" program, which aims to attract at least one million tourists to each country.
As part of this program, the number of flights will be increased, and new tourist routes will be expanded to include Turkish cities such as Izmir, Muğla, Fethiye, Alanya, Adana, and Bursa.
Additional Measures for Tourism Development
The parties agreed to implement the following activities:
- Expanding air connectivity and promoting the tourism potential of both countries.
- Attracting followers of Maturidi and Naqshbandi traditions from Turkey to Uzbekistan.
- Organizing joint cultural events and producing films to enhance mutual understanding between the nations.
- Holding a "Destination Forum" and thematic exhibitions to promote Uzbekistan in Turkey’s tourism industry.
Investment Projects in the Hotel Industry
Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy expressed support for Uzbekistan’s initiatives, emphasizing the country’s historical and cultural heritage.
Special attention is being given to cities such as Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, as well as Uzbek national cuisine and traditional crafts.
Currently, 12 hotels in Uzbekistan operate in partnership with Turkish companies, along with more than 100 joint restaurants.
Between 2025 and 2026, 11 hotel projects worth a total of $167.9 million are planned in Bukhara, Samarkand, Jizzakh, Fergana, and Tashkent regions with the support of Turkish investors.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
February 28, 2025