Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — During a videoconference meeting held on 9 April, chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the issues of enhancing the country's tourism potential and accelerating investment projects were discussed.

By the end of 2024, tourism services exports are projected to reach US$3.5 billion, and the number of foreign tourists is expected to exceed 10 million for the first time. Over 2,000 new entrepreneurs have entered the sector.

The president emphasized that Uzbekistan's potential allows for the doubling or even tripling of tourist flows, leveraging cultural heritage and natural resources. As a result, it was instructed to develop a tourism strategy up to 2040, aiming to increase service exports to $10 billion and the sector's share of the economy to 7%.

Over the past eight years, US$6.5 billion has been invested in the construction of accommodation facilities, creating 130,000 hotel rooms. By the end of this year, another 30,000 rooms are expected to be added.

Particular attention was given to the development of mountain skiing tourism. A new ski complex is being built in the "golden belt" near Parkent. The French ski resort Courchevel, one of the most renowned mountain resorts in France, has expressed interest in creating European-level tourist infrastructure.

However, the president criticized the work of local authorities, noting their poor understanding of the potential of the sector. Of the 35 districts where capsule homes for tourists were planned, the project has been implemented only in the Kitab district. To stimulate this direction, subsidies of up to 10 million soums will be provided for the creation and equipping of capsule homes.

In addition, the head of state expressed dissatisfaction with the condition of roads in the Bukhara, Khorezm, Kashkadarya, and Surkhandarya regions. Officials were instructed to begin the repair of road infrastructure within the framework of the "tourist ring" project.