President Urges Swift Fixes for Poor Road Conditions Amid Tourist Complaints
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chairs meeting to boost tourism in Uzbekistan
During a recent video conference chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, officials discussed efforts to further develop the tourism potential of Uzbekistan’s regions and accelerate ongoing foreign investment projects. It was noted that many regional governors still fail to grasp the true scale and significance of tourism as a strategic direction.
One of the key issues raised was growing dissatisfaction among tourists regarding the condition of both highways and internal roads across regions such as Khorezm, Bukhara, Kashkadarya, and Surkhandarya. In response, authorities were instructed to calculate costs and begin immediate repair work on all roads included in the so-called “tourism belt.”
The president emphasized the importance of monitoring local economies daily in the face of a volatile global economic environment. He highlighted the growth of tourism exports in recent years and the significant investment in tourism infrastructure, including the construction of a world-class ski resort in Parkent.
President Mirziyoyev outlined a long-term strategy to increase tourism’s share in the economy to 7% by 2040, with a target of $10 billion in export volumes. However, the meeting also revealed shortcomings in the progress of establishing tourism villages and promoting tourism at border checkpoints.
To encourage action and development in the tourism sector, subsidies will be allocated from the Tourism Fund for the construction of capsule houses, and permits for trekking routes will be expedited through the Unified Interactive Portal.
The president reiterated the country’s potential to double or triple the number of tourists, leveraging its rich historical and cultural heritage and unique natural landscapes. With a focus on investment and infrastructure development, Uzbekistan aims to position itself as a top destination for international travelers in the coming years.
