The Deputy Prime Minister Aziz Abdukhakimov paid a working visit to Spain, where he met with the Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Zurab Pololikashvili, the Uzbek Tourism Development Committee said.
Zurab Pololikashvili noted that only the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan, even during the pandemic, invested the most in tourism and continue to support businesses. At the meeting, Aziz Abdukhakimov proposed to hold the XXV session of the UNWTO in 2023 in Samarkand. The Secretary General positively accepted the initiative and stated that he was ready to fully support Uzbekistan in this matter.
He also noted that he personally supports Uzbekistan's candidacy for membership in the UNWTO Executive Council for 2021-2023 and is ready to provide all possible assistance in this matter.
In addition, an agreement was reached on organizing an international forum - Global Tourism Investment Forum for investors in the field of tourism and holding an event in the Tashkent province. The parties also agreed to attract highly qualified professors and teachers to the Silk Road International Tourism University and create modern educational programs for training in relevant areas. Agreements were reached on organizing international events within the framework of youth tourism programs and inviting Uzbek youth to foreign events.