The Association of private tourism agencies of Uzbekistan (APTA) plans to create a subdivision in its structure that will support and develop guest houses. The KUN.UZ correspondent was told about this by the chairman of the APTA Gulchekhra Israilova.
This statement was made following a recent meeting with the General Manager of the European Union project "Strengthening rural and ecotourism through business associations for sustainable economic development in Central Asia" Naut Kusters, during which the program of events for 2019 was discussed. Within the framework of the project, activities are being carried out aimed at developing the potential of guest houses. The program has gained particular relevance to the country after a few months ago by the government, it was decided on the maximum simplification of state registration of the guest houses and the revitalization of entrepreneurs to create private guest houses.
“One of the most important directions of the project is to initiate the creation of a public association of guest houses, which would contribute to their development,” says Gulchekhra Israilova. “However, we propose to solve this issue by creating a subdivision in the structure of our association, which will deal with the development of guest houses as an integral part of the tourist infrastructure.”
APTA has accumulated solid experience in supporting guest houses, which should be used in the future. The Association is ready to offer guest houses consulting and educational programs aimed at improving the level of customer service. APTA plans to help guest house owners promote their product.
Today APTA is the largest association of tour operators. The acceptance of guest houses into this "family" will contribute to a constructive dialogue and the establishment of mutually beneficial contacts between business entities working in the same area.
Gulchekhra Israilova also noted that many activities within the framework of the project are carried out with the participation of foreign experts who share their experience with the Uzbek people.
“In particular, Naut Kusters, within the framework of his visit to Uzbekistan, visited the Samarkand region, where the process of creating new guest houses is actively underway. In the Guri-Amir mahalla, he met with the aksakal and activists. Mahalla is located in the tourist center of Samarkand and today many of its residents are planning to open guest houses. Kusters also visited several guest houses, where he shared his experience of developing guest houses with the owners, ” - she adds.