The Tashkent International Tourism Fair, "Tourism on the Silk Road," is a global platform for meetings among professionals in the tourism sector. Since 1995, with the official support of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), it has hosted presentations of the tourism potential of dozens of countries, business negotiations among hundreds of tourism industry professionals, and international conferences on relevant topics concerning the development of international tourism. Over the past three decades, the Tashkent International Tourism Fair has established itself as one of the most significant and vibrant events in Uzbekistan and the entire Central Asian region for tourism professionals from all over the world.
On November 23, 2024, the three-day 29th International Tourism Fair "Tourism on the Silk Road" concluded in Tashkent. The event was organized by the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Committee for Tourism, as well as the National PR Center and the company "Team & Co Group."
The event was held for the first time at the Central Asian Expo Uzbekistan (CAEx), where tourism business experts from all over the world came together. It proved beneficial for all representatives of the industry, including employees of leading tourism and transportation companies, major hotel chains, diplomatic corps representatives, and educational institutions in the field of tourism.
Visitors and participants of the international fair had the opportunity to assess the tourism potential of new locations across all regions of Uzbekistan, as well as to explore the rich folklore, diverse cuisine, and traditions of the country's people, all within the framework of one exhibition space.
One of the key goals of the exhibition was to showcase the tourism market of Uzbekistan as an open and competitive environment.
The Republic of Karakalpakstan proudly presented its stand at the Tashkent International Tourism Fair, which captivated visitors from the very first moments with its design.
The central theme of the exhibition, skillfully combining the desert landscape with the modern look of the region, reflects the amazing revival of Karakalpakstan following the tragic environmental disaster caused by the shallowing of the Aral Sea. Sand, shells, a boat, and fishing gear create an atmosphere that immerses guests in the history of the region, where threads of the past intertwine with hopes for the future. The skillful combination of the desert landscape and the image of the Aral Sea with modern opportunities opens up new horizons for tourists. The creative approach of the organizers and their attention to detail made the stand unforgettable.
The fair was attended by tourism administrations and private companies from 19 countries, including Uzbekistan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Russia, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Thailand, the Czech Republic, Indonesia and others.
A total of 54 national stands were showcased and more than 30 local and 7 foreign tourism companies were invited under the “Hosted Buyers” program.
Over the course of three days, more than 20,000 attendees explored the tourism opportunities across 14 regions of the country.
The event facilitated over 20,000 B2B meetings, resulting in more than 8,000 agreements signed between tourism organizations. The large-scale event also attracted the attention of more than 100 influential media outlets, significantly enhancing Uzbekistan's visibility on the international stage.
At the closing ceremony of the event, awards were presented in a number of nominations. In particular, the stand of Karakalpakstan was recognized as the winner in "The Most Creative Stand" category, and representatives of our republic were awarded an electric car.
This success not only emphasizes the richness of the culture and nature of the region, but also opens new prospects for the development of tourism in Karakalpakstan.
The Tashkent International Tourism Fair 2024 played an important role in promoting Uzbekistan as an attractive tourist destination. This event served as an excellent platform for establishing new business contacts between local and foreign companies. The presentation of unique tourist routes and diverse regional attractions drew increased attention to the country’s rich culture and natural beauty of the country, opening new horizons for expanding cooperation and increasing tourist inflow.
