In Uzbekistan, consistent reforms are underway to develop the tourism sector as one of the strategic sectors of the national economy.

It is not just economic reforms that it is attracting Indians to resource rich Uzbekistan. The land of Babur, Amir Temur, Bukhara and Samarkhand with its majestic heritage are attracting Indian tourists as Uzbekistan is emphasizing on use of soft power to strengthen historical linkages.

The State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Development of Tourism for 2017-2018 has taken a number of measures to develop tourism infrastructure, simplify visa procedures and registration, and much more.

The first thing you need to do when, you going to Uzbekistan is to get a visa. If your country is not included in the list for visa-free visits, then simply send the documents through the system. It is worth noting the convenience of passing through customs points: when arriving in Uzbekistan, the relatively recent double corridors greatly facilitate the arrival of tourists to this sunny region.

When planning a trip, you should pay attention to seasonal and active recreation. It will be optimal to plan the trip so that the tour program includes visits to historical centers in Bukhara, Samarkand, Khiva and Tashkent, and after the cultural and educational part - visits to madrasas, mausoleums and museums, recover in nature, for example, in Bostanlyk district. These places are suitable for extreme sports and for families with children. Thus, the Amirsoy ski resort, which meets modern requirements and international standards of safety and service, will welcome its first guests from December 2019. Numerous mountain tracks of various levels of complexity are suitable for active leisure enthusiasts, and summer holidays for the whole family can be organized on the shore of the Charvak reservoir. Note that in 2018 some territories in the Kashkadarya region were opened for free to visit by tourists, such as the Amir Temur Cave, the Suffa radio astronomy complex, the Suvtushar waterfall, the picturesque high-mountain villages of Kul and Gilan, the Severtsev glacier. In addition, guests can diversify the rest of the balloon flights, overlooking the surrounding area and scenic views.

In November 2018, the International Tourism Investment Forum was held for the first time, which created an additional impetus for the rapid development of the tourism sector. Is it possible to fit in one article all the grand and, undoubtedly, positive changes that have taken place in the field of tourism? Hardly. It’s time to pack a suitcase and go to Uzbekistan to see everything with your own eyes. And hurry, because this year the country is waiting for an unprecedented flow of tourists, and this was confirmed by the presence of Uzbekistan in numerous lists of the best destinations for travels of leading media outlets, including the specialized ones: The New York times, National Geographic, The Guardian, Lovely Planet, etc.

The number of foreign nationals who visited Uzbekistan in 2018 increased by 2.3 times compared to 2017 - 6.433 million against 2.847 million people. Last year, the number of Uzbekistan citizens who made foreign trips doubled - 13 million 838.6 thousand people against 6 million 823.4 thousand a year earlier.

By Mr. Sherzod Karimov