"We receive one million tourists per year, but that’s not enough. Without proper infrastructure progress is not possible in tourism," said Zahid L. Khakimov, Chairman of Uzbek Tourism at a press briefing in Tashkent last week.

"This year we plan to further develop our infrastructure and request your countries to invest in Uzbekistan," said Zahid L. Khakimov, to a group of media persons from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The GCC media were on a familiarisation trip to the country, organised by the UAE-based Planet Group.

The investments would go towards improving roads and means of transportation. There are five international airports that serve chartered flights from Europe. The company plans to increase the chartered flight traffic from Southeast Asia too. The upgrading of the 240 hotels, motels and dormitories in the country is also planned along with the building of new ones.

"The new infrastructure will also provide all facilities that will ensure that the physically challenged and elderly receive the same quality of service as others," Khakimov told Gulf News. He added that the government is currently adopting a master plan of tourism development by 2015, where a special article gives emphasis to the provision of favourable conditions for welcoming and servicing this particular segment of tourists.

Given its geographical location, the country has the potential to provide wide scope to eco-tourists and Uzbekistan is taking steps to promote it.

"As you know, the United Nations gives special attention to the development of eco-tourism," Khakimov said. "Therefore, United National World Tourism Organisation and United Nations Environment Programme are providing recommendations on development of eco-tourism in our country."

"We have nine natural reserves where tourists will view the variety of flora and fauna in this unique landscape, including endangered animals and plants," he said.

"Tour operators of Uzbekistan offer interesting itineraries, which include an opportunity to taste and even participate in preparation of various traditional dishes, and visits to a chaykhana or traditional teahouse," Khakimov said.

Sabirov Rakhimberdi, regional manager, Middle East, Uzbekistan Airways told reporters that there are also plans to increase the number of flights to Uzbekistan from the UAE.

Ebrahim Nalkhande, chief operating officer, Travel, of Planet Group, whose travel wing Planet Travels & Tours is the general sales agent for Uzbekistan Airways in the UAE and for Uzbekistan Tourism in the UAE and the other GCC countries, said, "We are aiming to launch a brochure on Uzbekistan during the Arabian Travel Market 2009, certainly prior to the peak season of the summer."