On 19-23 January was held the international tourism fair FITUR 2011 in Madrid, Spain. The national stand of Uzbekistan is distinguished with both scale and modern design.

Uzbekistan has a huge potential of developing international tourism – was the opinion of the most visitors of the national tourist stand of our country that was represented in one of the major European tourist fairs.

Unique monuments of the ancient architecture concentrated in the historical cities – Samarqand, Bukhoro, Khiva, Shahrisabz, Tashkent, all the riches and diversity of nature, centuries-old traditions of handicrafts, wide customs and festivities of the people attract lots of tourists every year. That was the key idea of the exposition of the national stand of Uzbekistan at the international fair FITUR in Madrid that has demonstrated rich tourist opportunities to people of Spain and those from other countries.

The national stand of Uzbekistan that occupied the area of 100 square meters united the tourist opportunities of NC O’zbekturizm, NAC O’zbekiston Havo Yyollari, SSRC O’zbekiston Temir Yyollari, tour operators and leading hotel complexes of our country. The delegation of Uzbekistan becomes more dignified year after year. It is illustrated by the growing interest of private sector to the development of tourism industry.

“Growing interest in Uzbekistan, as the attractive tourist direction, is rather obvious. Probably, it is linked with the desire of tourists to explore the history of other countries having unique historical and cultural heritage. That is the reason why the tours across historical cities of Uzbekistan enjoy such a huge popularity with European travelers,” tells the head of the Association of Private Tourist Enterprises Otabek Jalilov. “Special attention was given to the promotion of the winter recreation in Uzbekistan’s mountains. The mountain resort zones of the country are considered one of the best in the world for downhill skiing. Such programs as heli-skiing and heli-boarding organized in the mountains of the Western Tien Shan are hugely popular among tourists.”

Participation in the fair favors the wider promotion of the tourist potential of Uzbekistan in the international market, the growth of additional tourist stream, establishment of cooperative ties with foreign companies for the further joint development of the tourism business.

FITUR is one of the major fairs in the world both in territory and the number of participants and exponents that gather in the exhibition every year. The event is attended by the national tourist administrations, tour operators, travel agencies, transport companies, representatives of hotel business, air carriers, as well as media sector from various countries across the globe.

Tourism experts represent their tour programs, new technologies and strategies of development of tourism industry. They also offer business ties for promoting and strengthening their business and to be in line with the latest requirements of the market.