Uzbekistan proposes changing rules for selling outbound tours

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan has submitted a draft government resolution for public discussion, introducing new requirements for the sale of outbound tourism products to citizens of Uzbekistan by foreign tour operators.

According to the document, foreign travel companies will be allowed to operate in the Uzbek market under one of two frameworks: either through an agreement with a local licensed tour operator authorized to organize outbound tourism, or through their own legal entity registered in Uzbekistan that has obtained the corresponding license.

The draft also proposes a ban on travel agents directly selling tour packages from foreign operators without the involvement of a local licensed tour operator. This restriction is intended to cover all sales channels, including websites, social media networks, mobile applications, online payment systems, and other digital platforms.

If a travel agent violates this requirement, the sold tourism product will be deemed unregistered on the National Tourism Platform, and regulatory enforcement measures prescribed by law may be applied to the company.

Responsibility for fulfilling obligations to the tourist will rest with the local licensed tour operator or the Uzbekistan-registered legal entity of the foreign company. Furthermore, it is the local operator that will be required to register the tour package on the National Tourism Platform, transfer the guarantee fee, and ensure that the tourist is issued an electronic tour code.

The draft resolution also covers the creation of a "Safe Tourism" fund, the assets of which are intended to be used to compensate tourists for damages, as well as to cover their accommodation, evacuation, and repatriation in emergency situations.

To obtain a license, tour operators are proposed to reserve an amount equivalent to at least US$50,000 in the fund and collect a guarantee fee from each sold tour package. Each tourist purchasing an outbound tour package will be assigned a unique electronic tour code, which will confirm the trip's registration on the National Tourism Platform, the payment of the guarantee fee, and the inclusion of the traveler in the emergency protection system.