Uzbekistan proposes establishing "Safe Tourism" fund

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — A proposal has been put forward in Uzbekistan to establish a "Safe Tourism" fund, the assets of which will be utilized to assist travelers. This includes providing compensation for damages, temporary accommodation, evacuation, and repatriation in emergency situations. The corresponding draft government resolution has been published by the Tourism Committee for public discussion.

According to the document, the fund is planned to be created under the Tourism Committee without establishing a legal entity. Its resources will be accumulated in the committee's treasury accounts.

One of the new licensing requirements for outbound tour operators organizing trips abroad will be the reservation of an amount equivalent to at least US$50,000 in the fund. These funds can be used to compensate for material damage suffered by tourists as a result of the actions or omissions of a tour operator or travel agent.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the fund's resources be directed toward paying for temporary accommodation, meals, transport, communications, as well as expenses related to the evacuation and repatriation of citizens. The basis for their utilization can be a court decision, an application from a tourist or their legal representative, or a reasoned decision by the Tourism Committee. If a portion of the reserved funds is spent, the tour operator will be required to restore the reserve to the established amount within 15 days.

The project also provides for the introduction of a targeted guarantee fee on each sold tourism product in the amount of 0.15 of the base calculating value (BCV) applicable on the date the tour is sold. The fee will be included in the cost of the tour package and will not be collected from tourists separately as a state duty or administrative payment.

For tourism products put together by Uzbek tour operators, the transfer of the fee rests with the operator. If the tour product of a foreign company is sold through a licensed legal entity registered in Uzbekistan, the obligation to pay the fee will be assigned to that entity.

The document envisages the implementation of an electronic tour code system. The National Tourism Platform will automatically assign a unique electronic number to each tourist purchasing an outbound tour package once the guarantee fee is received by the special treasury account of the fund. Without payment of the fee, the tour code will not be generated, and the sale of such a tourism product will be impossible.

It is anticipated that the tour code will confirm the registration of the tourism product on the platform, the payment of the guarantee fee, and the inclusion of the tourist in the protection system. The database will also contain information on the tour operator and travel agent, the route and dates of the trip, transport, accommodation, insurance policy, and emergency contacts.

It is proposed to indicate the tour code in the tourism service agreement, tourist voucher, electronic ticket, and other documents issued to the traveler. The use of the National Tourism Platform will enable the Tourism Committee to maintain a registry of sold tour packages, account for incoming payments, and promptly determine the location of tourists abroad in emergency situations.

The draft resolution defines the list of circumstances under which tourists can be provided assistance through the fund's assets. These include the absence or cancellation of a return ticket, the inability to leave the country due to unpaid accommodation or transfers, non-fulfillment of obligations by a foreign partner, bankruptcy or cessation of activities by a tour operator or travel agent, errors in processing visas and other documents, the introduction of a state of emergency or martial law in the host country, the designation of a state as dangerous by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, the deportation of a tourist through the fault of the travel company, as well as the abandonment abroad of minors, elderly citizens, and other persons in need of special protection.

At the same time, it is not proposed to charge the expenses for a tourist's return to the tour operator if the traveler remained abroad of their own free will, intentionally violated the legislation of the host country, or independently deviated from the trip itinerary. Exceptions are provided for minors, incapacitated persons, and cases where there is a direct threat to life or health.

The document also stipulates that the Tourism Committee will conduct an inventory of previously issued licenses within six months after the new rules enter into force and bring them into compliance with the updated requirements. In addition, plans are underway to develop a separate protection mechanism for citizens traveling abroad independently without the involvement of tour operators and travel agents.