Bukhara aims to attract 7 million foreign tourists a year

Meeting on the development of Bukhara region

During his visit to Bukhara region, Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting dedicated to developing the region's economy and improving the living standards of its population. One of the central topics was tourism: as reported by Daryo.uz, the tourist season in Bukhara has already been extended from four to six months, and the president stated the need to offer new events and tourism products to attract visitors during the rest of the year as well.

The goal — 7 million tourists

This year, Bukhara is expected to receive 3.5 million foreign tourists; in the future, the goal is to double this number to 7 million. To achieve this, a month-by-month plan has been ordered, which must clearly specify which countries guests will come from, what new tour packages and events will be offered to them, and what facilities will open in the districts of the region. About 30 international events are planned for next year.

Infrastructure problems

The president pointed out that the service does not match demand: “The supply of services does not correspond to demand,” he said. According to data presented at the meeting, Bukhara currently has no five-star hotel at all, there are not enough large shopping and entertainment facilities, and the bulk of tourist services is concentrated in the city of Bukhara itself. In this regard, accommodation, trade and leisure services are also to be developed in the districts of the region.

Announced projects

In the Gulchorbogh mahalla, a tourist center worth $80 million will be created on an area of 50 hectares, featuring an exhibition hall, an amphitheater and hotels. In the Jalol Ikromiy mahalla, a $60 million congress hall is being built for international events, and next to it two seven-story hotels are being erected under the Hilton and Holiday Inn brands. It is also planned to renovate eight central streets of Bukhara and build six alleys, and as part of the expansion of the regional center — a $500 million tourist cluster on 1,000 hectares in the Bukhara district. Thanks to this project, the average length of tourists' stay is expected to be extended to 4–5 days. In addition, the historical complexes — the Old Town, the Seven Saints (Chor Bakr), Paykent, Varakhsha and Vardanze — are to be united under a single tourism concept.