Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - The UNESCO Office in Uzbekistan, in partnership with the European Union and the city of Khiva, held a two-day seminar on developing a sustainable tourism development strategy in the city of Khiva, Dunyo reported.

The aim of the seminar was to develop recommendations for representatives of local public and private tourism sectors on the effective determination of priorities and the creation of a focused tourism management plan.

The seminar participants considered the mechanism of actions and investments necessary for the development of an inclusive sustainable tourism industry in the city and the preservation of cultural heritage, in particular, the Ichan-Kala World Heritage Site.

The seminar was held as part of the UNESCO project “Afghanistan, Central Asia and Iran - a common heritage along the Silk Road and corridors to and from Europe”, launched in October 2018 with the financial support of the EU.

In the long term, the project is expected to enhance the contribution of culture to sustainable development, in particular through the development of heritage-based tourism, the diversification of tourism products, and the provision of high-quality services and a positive tourist experience to visitors.