Uzbekistan and Georgia to Expand Cooperation in Tourism

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — During an official visit of an Uzbek delegation to Georgia, the Chairman of the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan, Abdulaziz Akkulov, held a meeting with the Head of the National Tourism Administration of Georgia, Maia Omiadze. The parties discussed the further development of bilateral cooperation in the tourism industry and agreed to expand joint projects.

The primary topics of the negotiations were increasing the mutual tourist flow, creating joint tourism products, and promoting them on the international market.

Special attention was paid to the exchange of experience in the field of tourism statistics. The parties agreed to cooperate on the formation of inbound and domestic tourism statistics, as well as studying the methodology for conducting sample surveys of tourists at airports and state border crossing points.

The participants of the meeting also reviewed modern mechanisms for stimulating inbound tourism, including state support for the tourism business through the use of tax incentives. The Uzbek side expressed interest in studying the Georgian experience of applying a value-added tax refund system and a zero VAT rate for tour operators, as well as evaluating the effectiveness of these tools in increasing tourist flows.

During the talks, prospects for cooperation in developing mountain, wine (enotourism), and gastronomic tourism were discussed. Taking into account Georgia's experience, the sides reviewed opportunities for exchanging experts and attracting Georgian specialists to implement tourism projects in Uzbekistan.

In addition, an agreement was reached to organize reciprocal press tours for media representatives, bloggers, and opinion leaders, as well as to ensure regular participation in international tourism exhibitions, forums, and other specialized events held in Uzbekistan and Georgia.

Following the meeting, the sides confirmed their readiness to continue practical work on developing tourist exchanges, promoting national tourism products on the international market, implementing joint projects, and strengthening long-term cooperation in the tourism sector.