Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The Institute for Tourism Development under the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Tourism Development is starting an intergovernmental research project in the field of tourism: “Tourism contributes to poverty reduction; employment and development of women in Uzbekistan” with Chinese partners.

The project is funded by a grant from Chinese partners with the support of the Chongqing Training Center for International Cooperation (CTCIC) in cooperation with the Committee of the Alliance of Cities on the Maritime and Continental Silk Road Smart City and New Industry (MCSR-SNC) (China).

The project aims to find real solutions to the existing problems of poverty, gender inequality and employment in tourism in Uzbekistan. Leading experts from China, as well as experts from Uzbekistan in the field of tourism under the leadership of the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Tourism Development will take part in the work of this project.

Within the framework of the project, a study will be carried out, which will allow to prepare a comparative analysis, thematic and summary reports, background information on topics for the formulation and evaluation of tourism policies in Uzbekistan. In addition, project participants will have the opportunity to share their experience in the field of management. Solving the problems of employment and gender equality will contribute to the economic growth of the country as a result of the growth of business in tourism.

The project provides educational and awareness-raising workshops and courses that, using the experience of China in the fight against poverty, will attract rural women not only as tourism workers, but also as entrepreneurs.

On 28 September 2020, the opening ceremony (online) was held, where the project was launched. The main stages of work were identified: creating a roadmap, implementation, then summing up and issuing recommendations in the form of a monograph. Leading experts from China will participate in the project: Mr. Li Ji - Former Vice President of the Palace Museum, Chairman of the Beijing Foundation for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage of the Forbidden City, Professor Chang Changfa - Deputy Chairman of the China Foundation for the Preservation of Heritage, Professor Wang Kongxing - Deputy Secretary General of the World Tourism Alliance, Professor Song Hua - Director of the Academic Committee, Director of the Center for Research and Protection of Cultural Heritage of the School of Archeology and Museology of Peking University, Mr. Wu Jianbo - Director of the Alliance of Maritime and Continental Cities of the Silk Road - Committee "Smart City and New Industry" (MCSR- SNC), Mr. Nurmat Tenizbaev - Project Manager, MCSR-SNC, Mr. Carlos Rodriguez - Project Manager, MCSR-SNC, Ms. Chang Tayyao - Project Manager, MCSR-SNC.

It is important to note that tourism is one of the areas hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. This was stated by the head of the UN, Antonio Guterres, in his special address. According to Guterres, tourism remains an important factor in development: for millions of people around the world, it is the only source of livelihood.