Aziz Abdukhakimov met with UNWTO Secretary General in Spain
Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Aziz Abdukhakimov paid a working visit to Spain. In Madrid, he met with the Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Zurab Pololikashvili.
During the meeting with the Secretary General, it was noted that the tourism sector was chosen by the President of Uzbekistan as a strategic sector of the economy, as well as the fact that a visa-free entry system was introduced for citizens of 86 countries, a system for obtaining electronic visas was introduced for citizens of more than 50 countries, and the number of foreign tourists in the period before the pandemic increased 5 times. At the same time, Shavkat Mirziyoyev's initiative to support entrepreneurs in the tourism sector during the coronavirus pandemic, namely the benefits and preferences provided until the end of 2021, were recognized as exemplary initiatives to save thousands of jobs.
Along with this, the specialized system “Uzbekistan. Safe travel GUARANTEED" was also highly appreciated.
In this regard, Zurab Pololikashvili noted that only the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan, even during the pandemic, invested the most in tourism and continue to support entrepreneurs.
Aziz Abdukhakimov, within the framework of the meeting in Madrid, proposed to hold the XXV session of the UNWTO in 2023 in Samarkand. UNWTO Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili positively accepted the initiative and stated that he was ready to fully support Uzbekistan in this matter.
Aziz Abdukhakimov, in turn, on behalf of the Government of Uzbekistan thanked the UNWTO Secretary General for close cooperation and assistance in holding various international events in Uzbekistan and promoting tourism news of our country through the UNWTO platforms.