Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan and Türkiye have discussed expanding tourism cooperation, attracting international travellers and implementing joint investment projects.
Abdulaziz Akkulov, Chairman of Uzbekistan’s Tourism Committee, held talks with representatives of the World Halal Summit Council, Pegasus Airlines and the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce during a working visit to Istanbul, the Tourism Committee said.
At a meeting with Yunus Ete, President of the World Halal Summit Council, the sides discussed promoting Uzbekistan as an international destination for pilgrimage and Muslim-friendly tourism.
They also considered the possibility of hosting the international World Halal Summit and related forums in Uzbekistan in 2027, as well as publishing an international magazine.
The participants also discussed organising major international events in Bukhara and other Uzbek cities in cooperation with the Project Office for Tourism Product Development under the Tourism Committee.
During talks with Mehmet Tevfik Nane, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pegasus Airlines, the sides considered promoting Uzbekistan’s tourism potential in cities across the airline’s route network. They reached a preliminary agreement to prepare an agreement providing for a joint advertising campaign to attract tourists to Pegasus Airlines flights to five cities in Uzbekistan.
The discussions also covered promoting Uzbekistan in destinations from which there are no direct flights to the country operated by Uzbek airlines. Pegasus Airlines’ route network through Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen Airport covers more than 100 destinations in 58 countries.
The sides proposed establishing cooperation with Uzbek tour operators, holding joint marketing campaigns, airline presentations and B2B meetings during the Tashkent International Tourism Fair (TITF) 2026, and organising familiarisation trips.
At talks with Şekib Avdagiç, President of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, the participants discussed strengthening business contacts and attracting international hotel brands from Türkiye to Uzbekistan. They also reached a preliminary agreement to consider organising joint events with the participation of the Convention Bureau, which operates under the Chamber.
Turkish representatives were invited to the 31st Tashkent International Tourism Fair “Tourism on the Silk Road”, scheduled for 25–27 November 2026. The fair will also host the first international tourism investment forum.
