Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that the countries of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) should strengthen cooperation in the field of tourism and the humanitarian sphere.

“The recently held session of the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization in Samarkand with the participation of more than 140 states was a historical event that attracted the attention of the whole world to the tourism potential of our region,” the head of Uzbekistan noted, speaking at the ECO summit in Tashkent.

“Currently, there are about 90 monuments included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in the Organization’s space; our countries are visited annually by about 80 million foreign tourists. Considering the growing popularity of cross-border destinations, I propose to introduce joint tourist routes and increase common tourism programs under the Silk Road brand,” he said.

“I would like to make a proposal to create a separate Advisory Committee on Tourism under the Secretariat of our Organization, consisting of tourism administrations and leading experts from member countries. We are ready to hold its first meeting next year in the city of Shakhrisabz, declared the tourist capital of our Organization,” the President noted.

“We also urge member states to effectively use the opportunities of the International Academy of Tourism of the World Tourism Organization, opened in Samarkand,” he added.

“The annual holding of alternate weeks of culture, art and cinema in our countries, the establishment of youth creative festivals and an innovative cooperation platform, strengthening interaction in fundamental scientific areas will give a strong impetus to the development of our ties,” he emphasized.