The meeting focused on enhancing the tourism infrastructure across various regions and boosting the number of international visitors. Officials discussed their aim to attract 11 million tourists and increase tourism revenue to $2.5 billion, outlining detailed plans to achieve these goals.
Significant investment agreements, totaling $2.3 billion, were made during the World Tourism Organization forum held in Samarkand in October 2023. These investments are directed toward developing tourism infrastructure and initiating new projects.
One notable project is the construction of a ski complex on 3,000 hectares in the Shakhrisabz district of the Samarkand region. Additionally, a master plan is being created for the village of Miraki, which is known for its historical and natural attractions. The Economic Cooperation Organization has named Shakhrisabz the tourist capital for 2024.
To support tourism in Shakhrisabz, several measures have been planned. A tourism cluster will be established in the city and region, and key roads, including the Khisorak-Gelon and Khisorak-Sarchashma routes, will be expanded and repaired. The Chirakchi-Shurkuduk highway will also be upgraded to reduce travel time from Samarkand to Shakhrisabz.
Given the increasing interest in extreme tourism among young people, a new program will be adopted to further develop this sector.