Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The Association of private tourism organizations of Uzbekistan (APTA) together with the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for tourism development launched a project “APTA Networking Club” on August 2 with the participation of representatives of tourism business.

“It is the format with personal communication between entrepreneurs and representatives of state bodies that is the best opportunity to transfer projects and activities to the next level, as well as to effectively solve urgent problems and get competent answers to the accumulated questions,” chairperson of the committee Abdulaziz Akulov said.

Speaking at the event, the representative of the Center Strategy Development Eldor Tulyakov noted that it is important to obtain the opinions of industry experts and bring them to the public.

It should be noted that within the framework of APTA Networking Club, representatives of the tourism business had the opportunity to discuss in an informal setting all the problematic issues impeding the development of the tourism industry. In particular, they discussed issues related to VAT, tourist tax, transport, participation in major exhibitions. At the same time, the view was expressed that there were problems in hotels during the relatively low tourist flow of the season. In addition, proposals were made to create favorable conditions for the travel of not only foreign citizens to our country, but also citizens of Uzbekistan abroad.

Answering questions from representatives of the business community, the Chairman of the State Committee for tourism development noted that in the near future documents are being developed to address the relevant problems.

The Chairman of the APTA Gulchehra Israilova underlined that the subjects of the tourism industry should develop competitive strategies and ways of their implementation in the world market of tourism services. “The world market of tourism services is one of the fastest growing sectors of the world economy, which is influenced by globalization and reveals its opportunities. In many countries, international tourism is a source of both direct and indirect income of the state, stimulating the development of various industries that are not directly related to the tourist infrastructure,” – she said.

During the event, the Chairman of the Association of private tourism organizations (APTA) signed memorandums of cooperation with the management of the Center Strategy Development, Tashkent international clinic, Orient Finans bank and  Kabus Web Solutions. Today, the administration of tourism of the country is carrying out purposeful work aimed at the development of the tourism industry.

In particular, all conditions are created for foreign investors to enter the tourist market of Uzbekistan, measures are taken to abolish and simplify the visa regime, improve the level of service and improve infrastructure. Over the past two years, in order to improve the business environment, accelerate the development and increase the investment attractiveness of the tourism industry, a total of 22 types of benefits and preferences in the field of tourism have been provided.

Following the results of the first meeting of "APTA Networking Club" on the basis of the issues raised during the event, relevant recommendations and proposals were prepared, which will play an important role in solving problems related to attracting and servicing more tourists to Uzbekistan.

It is expected that the next meeting of the club will be held in Samarkand region.