Uzbekistan and Austria Launch Tourism and Hospitality Training Program

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A memorandum of cooperation was signed in Tashkent on 7 May 2026 between Uzbekistan and Austria aimed at developing a modern system for training specialists in tourism, hospitality, and hotel management aligned with international standards.

The agreement brings together the Agency for Management Efficiency under the President of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, the Agency for Vocational Education, and the Austrian University of Applied Sciences Krems (IMC Krems University of Applied Sciences). The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials from both countries, including representatives of Uzbekistan’s education and governance institutions and the Austrian university leadership.

The main objective of the initiative is to strengthen human capital in the tourism sector by improving vocational and higher education programs and preparing qualified specialists for the rapidly growing hospitality industry. A particular focus is placed on upgrading institutional capacity within educational establishments.

As part of the implementation plan, existing vocational education institutions in Bukhara and Namangan are expected to be transformed into international schools of hotel management. These institutions will operate on the basis of joint Uzbek-Austrian standards and incorporate international best practices in tourism education.

The agreement also provides for Austrian expert involvement in curriculum development, institutional consulting, and training programs for Uzbek educators and professionals. Capacity-building activities for faculty members are expected to play a central role in ensuring long-term sustainability of the reforms.

Another key component of the memorandum is the development of Hospitality Management curricula aligned with the European Qualifications Framework, alongside academic conferences and professional forums dedicated to innovation in tourism education.

The cooperation is planned for a period of three years and will be implemented through coordinated efforts between government agencies, educational institutions, and industry stakeholders, with the aim of building a modern workforce for Uzbekistan’s expanding tourism sector.