Uzbekistan, Türkiye discuss tourism investment, air connectivity and promotion
**Uzbekistan, Türkiye discuss tourism investment, air connectivity and promotion**
Uzbekistan and Türkiye have talked about broadening cooperation in tourism, with a focus on hotel development, air connectivity, digital promotion, professional training and direct ties between tour operators.
Chairman of Uzbekistan’s Tourism Committee Abdulaziz Akkulov met with Türkiye’s Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy to examine possible areas for deeper bilateral cooperation in the tourism sector. The two sides discussed using Türkiye’s experience in Uzbekistan in tourism management, the development of tourism zones, modern hotel infrastructure and the application of digital technologies. They also looked at joint projects and the exchange of experience between relevant organizations in both countries.
Direct cooperation between Uzbek and Turkish tour operators was another topic raised during the meeting. Suggestions included arranging tourism forums and B2B meetings to create more contacts between companies working in the sector. Tourism infrastructure investment was also discussed. The sides considered the possible construction of modern hotel complexes in Uzbekistan’s regions with the involvement of Turkish investors, as well as ways to attract international Turkish hotel brands to the Uzbek market.
Air connectivity was addressed as a separate issue. Uzbekistan and Türkiye discussed strengthening cooperation with Turkish Airlines and other Turkish carriers, along with expanding the geographic reach and capacity of flights between the two countries. The meeting also touched on professional education and cooperation in tourism infrastructure development. A proposal was put forward to establish cooperation between Cappadocia University and the Project Office for Tourism Infrastructure Development under Uzbekistan’s Tourism Committee.
The proposed cooperation would include professional training, scientific and practical work and the preparation of project master plans. It would also involve specialized experts in joint projects. According to the information provided, the Turkish side supported the proposal. Tourism promotion in the Turkish market was another key point. The sides proposed developing cooperation between Türkiye’s national public broadcaster TRT, the Tourism Promotion and Development Agency of Türkiye (TGA) and relevant Uzbek organizations.
Possible activities include media and press tours and the use of digital platforms, bloggers and traditional media to showcase Uzbekistan’s tourism destinations to Turkish audiences. The meeting also covered a proposal to turn preserved “Uzbek caravanserais” in Türkiye into tourism and cultural centers representing Uzbekistan. These sites could serve as platforms for presenting information about the country’s tourism offerings and cultural heritage.
Uzbekistan and Türkiye also considered joint media projects centered on pilgrimage tourism. Proposed areas included promoting the heritage of Imam al-Bukhari and the work of the Centre of Islamic Civilization, as well as presenting Uzbekistan through films and television series. Cooperation with the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) was discussed in connection with tourism and education projects. The sides also looked at opportunities to attract grant financing for joint initiatives.
Preparations for the 31st Tashkent International Tourism Fair, Tourism on the Silk Road, set for November 25–27, 2026, were also discussed. Proposals included holding another meeting of the Uzbekistan–Türkiye Joint Commission on Tourism during the fair. Türkiye was also invited to take part with a national pavilion, while its participation as a partner country in the Invest Forum was proposed.
The initiatives discussed at the meeting cover tourism flows, investment, air connectivity, professional education, tourism infrastructure and promotional cooperation between Uzbekistan and Türkiye.