President Mirziyoyev stresses need to develop Samarkand into tourism hub

President Mirziyoyev during the visit – Uzbekistan news agency

Samarkand: Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has called for optimizing resources and facilities to enhance tourism and boost the economy.

Mirziyoyev made his call as he visited a tourism center to be built along a rowing canal in Samarkand.

The project allocates 360 hectares of land for the complex, while a congress center, five-, four-, three-star hotels, alleys, pools, artificial islands, restaurants and other facilities are to be built on 80 hectares, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement posted on its website.

“Where do Samarkand people and compatriots who come from other regions go for rest? There is no such destination yet. Foreign tourists come mainly for pilgrimage and to explore historical monuments. Therefore, it is necessary to create conditions for recreational tourism, a place where our people and tourists could relax in their free time. However, the complex should be in harmony with pilgrimage tourism. This will become another growth point for Samarkand’s economy,” Mirziyoyev was quoted as saying.

During the visit, Mirziyoyev assessed the progress of the work on Samarkand International Airport to build another terminal, renovate the runway, expand aircraft parking and upgrade the radar systems.

The new terminal will meet all international requirements and serve 600 passengers an hour.

According to the statement, the president instructed to introduce a modern management at the airport, increase the number of trains and buses on routes during reconstruction works, and create additional amenities for the population and tourists.

According to official figures, the number of tourists visiting Samarkand has doubled comparing with last year.

Within two years, the number of foreign tourists visiting Samarkand is expected to reach two million whereas the total number of tourists Uzbekistan will be 10 million.

Religious tourism in Uzbekistan includes Sufi tours that include visits to venerated sights in Samarkand, Bukhara and Tashkent, the resting places of great religious scholars, Imam Al Bukhari’s memorial complex, and the architectural complex of Khwaja Baha Ad Din Naqshband, the Master of the “Naqshbandiya” order.