Close-knit Team is the main Key to Successful Tourism Development

Discussion of the pressing issues concerned with promotion of the Uzbek tourist product in foreign markets was the purpose of visit to our country of Ex-minister of tourism of Malaysia Mr. Y.B. Datuk Seri Panglima Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir. The experienced expert in tourism sphere has shared with impressions about his stay in Uzbekistan:

“First of all, I would like to note that the government of Uzbekistan places special emphasis on the tourism development in the country. The world tourist experience shows that today tourism is the most rapidly developing economic sector providing inflow of foreign currency, favoring creation of new workplaces and development of business partnership between the countries. Investments in development of this industry are always justified and productive.

I will also note that Uzbekistan has considerable tourist potential that needs effective and correct implementation. First, the development of this important sphere of national economy should be coordinated at the governmental level. For example, the National Committee on Tourism Development functions in Malaysia headed by the prime minister of the country. It considerably simplifies the mechanism of regulation of branch where all tourist opportunities and objects are concentrated in “one hands”. Thus, the state acts as the initiator of various programs on tourism modernization that are implemented by private sector enterprises. In Uzbekistan as I know, the necessary work is carried out in this direction aimed at activation of state-private partnership, as well as commissions on modernization of tourism sphere have been created.

Addressing the experience of Malaysia, I should note: in order to make our country attractive for foreign tourists, we had to “create” tourist sights, build new objects of culture and architecture. As for Uzbekistan, it has similar objects; they only have to be skillfully presented them to the foreign audience, and you should never forget improving the tourist infrastructure.

In particular, you should develop roadside system of service for tourists. Taking into account those considerable distances between the country tourist centers, beautiful hotels, the construction of cafe, camping and other objects of the roadside infrastructure will allow making tourists travel more comfortable and pleasant.

Successful step in promoting the tourist product of Uzbekistan in the world markets is considered the initiative of NC O’zbekturizm about the organization of familiarization tours for representatives of tour companies, agencies and mass-media. Backing on my experience I can tell that similar tours in Malaysia had immense success. After implementation of this program it was possible to learn about “marvelous Malaysia” almost from every mass-media. Though, we did not pay for advertising in these editions. Participants of tours got admired by uncommon features of the country and continued to boost it. Investing money, for of all, in the form of payment of journey, residing, excursions for participants of the program, as a result we get the profit multiplied by impressions of tour operators and journalists.

I am assured that establishing of a cohesive team from the interested organizations and departments will allow uniting efforts and purposefully developing the tourism industry in the country.