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Presidential Decree “On additional measures to improve tourism infrastructure and further increase the flow of foreign tourists to the Republic of Uzbekistan” (Decree No. 102 of 18.07.2024) was adopted.

This Decree is aimed at further development of tourism infrastructure and increasing the flow of foreign tourists to the country. This step is designed to create more comfortable conditions for traveling, as well as to stimulate the inflow of direct investment in the tourism sector.

The main provisions of the Decree include

1.Financial support for tour operators:
- From September 1, 2024, a credit line of USD 50 million in local currency will be opened at an annual rate of 14% through the Fund for Reconstruction and Development. Loans are provided to uzbek resident tour operators for up to 10 years with a two-year grace period.
- Commercial banks are allocated resources for 12 years with a three-year grace period to provide working capital to tour operators.

2.Privileges for import of vehicles:
- Until August 1, 2025, tour operators registered and licensed in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, when importing vehicles with high cross-country ability and engine capacity of not less than 2.4 liters for the organization of extreme tours, will be allowed to pay customs duty and utilization fee at the rate of 25 percent of the current rate in installments for 3 years by way of exception.
- Buses and minibuses imported by tourism business entities will be exempted from customs duty if certain conditions are met.

3.Support for participation in international tourism exhibitions:
- From January 1, 2025, at least 1 billion soums will be allocated from the local budgets of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regions and Tashkent city for participation in international tourism fairs and exhibitions.
- 50% of the cost of renting a pavilion at international fairs for tour operators operating for less than three years is covered by the off-budget Tourism Support Fund of the Tourism Committee.
- Artisans are covered 50% of the cost of pavilion rental, transportation of products and airfare from the Handicrafts Support Fund under the Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction.

4.Creation of a new national tourism brand:
- By October 1, 2024, a competition will be held to create a new national tourism brand of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
- It is planned to develop content on different types of tourism and promote the brand using modern marketing technologies.

5.Attraction of famous bloggers and influencers:
- Accommodation expenses of famous foreign bloggers (with an audience of at least 1 million people), attracted by tour operators for product promotion, are compensated at the expense of the Fund.

6.Development of transportation infrastructure:
- By December 1, 2024, a unified online platform will be launched to obtain information and purchase tickets for air, rail and bus routes.
- Introduction of a system for selling tickets at differentiated prices and launching additional flights during holidays.

Roadmap and next steps:
- The compositions of the Republican and local public councils for tourism development have been approved, as well as the Roadmap for increasing the flow of foreign and domestic tourists.
- Measures have been taken to improve engineering and communication networks and to create a favorable environment for the development of business tourism.

This decree represents a significant step forward in the development of Uzbekistan's tourism industry, aimed at improving infrastructure, attracting investment and promoting the national tourism brand at the international level.

You can read more about the Decree of the President by clicking here.