Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - On 9 December, a video conference was held under the chairmanship of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to discuss ongoing work in the field of tourism and sports, as well as tasks for the coming year.

Tourism in Uzbekistan is developing as one of the strategic sectors of the economy. A number of decrees and resolutions have created broad conditions for its development. In particular, the number of countries for whose citizens a visa-free regime has been introduced has been increased from 9 to 86, a system of "electronic visas" has been introduced for citizens of 53 states. In this difficult year for tourism, business entities operating in the field were provided with full support, they were provided with subsidies and loans.

The meeting, which was held in a critical spirit, considered measures to restore and develop the country’s tourism potential, taking into account the need to revise approaches in the context of the coronavirus pandemic.

In 2021, it is planned to attract 1.7 million foreign and 7.5 million local tourists, as well as increase the export of services in the field to US$370 million. The most promising source in this regard is, first of all, pilgrimage tourism. There are many Muslim shrines, monuments of Judaism and Buddhism in our country. Taking advantage of this opportunity, it is possible to attract 700 thousand pilgrims and ensure the export of services worth US$130 million.

In this regard, it was pointed out the need for a phased resumption from next year of air traffic with European countries, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Thailand, Japan, and launching new directions for pilgrim tourism. The high cost of tickets for the flights of the national air carrier was criticized, and the task was set to reduce prices.

The head of state noted the lack of work to promote pilgrim tourism and a scientific approach. The importance of further promoting the tourism potential of our country together with the embassies abroad was noted. A proposal was put forward to simplify the visa system for citizens of states in which pilgrimage tours to Uzbekistan are highly popular.

To coordinate work in this direction, it was decided to create an Interdepartmental Commission headed by the Deputy Prime Ministers. The Commission will systematically deal with the organization of flights, simplification of obtaining permits, expanding the geography of flights and improving airport services.

It was noted that there are many unexplored objects unknown to tourists in the regions. The Ministry of Culture and the Committee for Religious Affairs have been instructed to restore 300 cultural heritage and pilgrimage sites.

The resting place of the great theologian Abu Mansur Maturidi and other 8 outstanding scientists buried next to him can be turned into a center of pilgrimage for Maturidism, which has 170 million followers around the world.

At the meeting, the relevant instructions were given to the khokimiyat of Samarkand region. The need to develop a project dedicated to the religion of Islam and religious figures of the region of the thematic alley in the Bukhara region was noted.

Next year, the program of domestic tourism "Travel across Uzbekistan!" For this, additional non-working days are established during Ramadan Khayit and Kurban Khayit, Navruz, Independence Day and New Year’s holidays. There will also be organized a month, week and days of domestic tourism for off-season travel.

The President stressed the importance of extending the benefits and preferences provided to the tourism industry in connection with the pandemic until the end of 2021, the introduction of discounts on transport and hotel services for the population, and the mass organization of domestic tourism.

The issue of development of tourist facilities and infrastructure was discussed at the video conference.

Dozens of such projects are being implemented in Bostanlyk district of Tashkent region. In particular, the second stage of the Amirsoy resort, the Beldersay-Chimgan-Nanai international resort, the Khojakent cable car, 29 hotels and sanatoriums are under construction.

Based on this experience, measures have been identified to implement next year a program for accelerated tourism development in 14 districts, the cities of Khanabad and Angren, which have a high tourism potential.

The meeting also discussed issues of wide involvement of people in mass sports.

Today, only 19 percent of the country’s population is covered by physical culture and sports. More and more problems associated with unhealthy lifestyles, excessive consumption of foods high in salt, sugar, fat, flour dishes and bread products.

It is well known that coronavirus infection is particularly severe in overweight people with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. This re-emphasizes the importance of a healthy lifestyle and exercise.

By the decree of the head of state from 30 October 2020, important measures were identified to widely promote a healthy lifestyle and the further development of mass sports. In particular, the task is to create in regional centers and cities "Paths of health" with a length of 3-5 kilometers.

At the meeting, instructions were given on the formation of an address list of "paths", the start of construction work, the creation of all amenities for pedestrians and cyclists.

The President paid special attention to the development of local sports infrastructure. Instructions were given on attracting entrepreneurs for the construction of private sports facilities, workout grounds, mini-football, badminton, streetball, and fitness rooms.

It was noted that it is necessary to develop sports tourism in our country by holding international competitions. In particular, motorcycling and cycling competitions will be organized, for which a route from the regions to Bostanlyk district will be developed.

Sports tests are planned among the population to determine the physical fitness and benefits of their winners. The necessity of holding them, first of all, among schoolchildren, and in the future, among other categories of the population, was emphasized.

As you know, each region and city of the country is specialized in priority, promising and developing sports. In this regard, it is necessary to regularly hold major competitions in the regions and train talented athletes based on their specialization. To this end, it was recommended that the National Olympic Committee ensure the close work of sports federations in districts and cities, and develop the Olympic movement on the ground.

Responsible persons reported on the issues discussed at the meeting.