Sergey Shpilko: Number of Russian tourists in Uzbekistan is increasing

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Chairperson of the Committee on tourism and hotel business of Moscow Sergey Shpilko said that number of Russian tourists, traveling to unique historic cities such as Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Shakhrisabz and Tashkent, has been increasing each year.

In his interview to Jahon news agency Shpilko said that Russian tourists are interested in national traditions, customs, culture, art and, of course, to Uzbek hospitability. He said that some 145,000 tourists from Moscow visited Uzbekistan in 2012.

He said that various projects are implemented to raise awareness of Russian population on tourism potential of Uzbekistan. In particular, he said the Russian tour operators and mass media paid a study tours to Uzbekistan.

Shpilko also noted that there is high interest in Russia among Uzbek tourists. He said that tourism helps to develop friendly relations between Uzbekistan and Russia.