Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  Uzbekistan is attracting an increasing number of tourists from China, stated Yu Jun, the Chinese Ambassador to Uzbekistan.

The ambassador highlighted the promising outlook for tourism cooperation between the two countries, noting that China, as the world’s largest source of tourists with significant consumer potential, finds Uzbekistan’s rich cultural and natural resources highly appealing.

Yu Jun emphasized Uzbekistan’s ongoing efforts to develop its tourism sector, improve infrastructure, and boost domestic tourism, with a particular focus on attracting Chinese visitors. From January to August of this year, 42,000 Chinese tourists visited Uzbekistan, already surpassing pre-pandemic numbers.

Strengthening tourism cooperation is among the priority agreements between the leaders of the two nations, according to the ambassador. Tourism authorities in both countries are actively collaborating and considering the possibility of a Year of Tourism initiative.

The head of the Chinese diplomatic mission expressed China’s readiness to enhance tourism exchanges through experience sharing in cultural and tourism development, deeper collaboration between tour operators, and the creation of specialized travel routes tailored for various tourist segments. Other initiatives include the development of unique souvenirs and tourism-related products.

Plans are also in place to improve services for Chinese tourists by adding signage in Chinese, providing Chinese-speaking tour guides, and implementing joint training programs for guides. According to Yu Jun, understanding Chinese tourists’ needs and preferences will enable a more tailored service experience.

Furthermore, China and Uzbekistan aim to increase direct flights and explore visa simplification to boost tourist flows, added Yu Jun.