Tourism will be the main driver of 239 mahallas in Samarkand

1 million 204 thousand foreign tourists from 152 countries and 4 million 247 thousand local tourists visited Samarkand in 2022. The export of tourist services amounted to 197.6 million US dollars. And in the first three months of this year, more than 217 thousand foreign and more than 814 thousand local tourists visited the ancient city.
This was reported by the deputy khokim of the Samarkand region Rustam Kobilov.
- Until now, foreign tourists have been in our region for an average of two to six days, their daily expenses amounted to 65 - 213 dollars, - says R. Kobilov. – And this year, the extension of tourists' stay in the city for one day will increase the export of tourist services by $ 14 million. During the year we are going to attract 1.5 million foreign tourists and bring the transport of services to $ 250 million. In 2022, the tourism sector was identified as the main driver in 103 mahallas of cities and districts of the region, 491 houses were converted into family guest houses. More than 5,800 people are employed in this field. This year, the number of mahallas selected for the tourism sector will be increased to 239, and guest houses - to 1144. As a result, 104 family hotels, 105 catering establishments will be organized, 7,189 local residents will be employed in the sphere. This year, two projects for the creation of tourist complexes with a total cost of 127 billion soums will be implemented in the Vorsin mahallas of the Tailak district and Yangiaryk of the Samarkand district. A cable car worth 120 billion soums will be put into operation in the Aksai mahalla of Nurabad district. Four ecotourist recreation areas have been opened in the Urgut, Akdarya and Kattakurgan districts. A shopping and entertainment center will start operating in Samarkand, the project cost of which is 4 trillion 542 billion soums. In addition, tourists will receive one wellness center in Kattakurgan and Akdarya districts and two more in Samarkand. The total number of accommodation facilities will be increased to 681, the number of seats - up to 18,869, tour operators - up to 250, tourist villages - up to 18, 16 thousand jobs will be organized. The region has created facilities for pilgrimage, classical, gastronomic, business, eco-, agro-, and shopping tourism. In addition, a five-day tourist program has been developed to visit recreation areas, attractions, tourist villages and streets.
With extensive use of the capabilities of Samarkand International Airport, the number of weekly flights will be increased from 55 to 120. This year Samarkand will become the center of major international forums and conferences. 25 international events are planned, including the 25th session of the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization, the 32nd annual meeting of the Board of Governors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the second meeting of the Strategic Dialogue "Cooperation Council of the Arab States of the Gulf - Central Asia".

Rustam Kobilov,
Deputy khokim of the Samarkand region