BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 24. Uzbekistan and
Türkiye discussed expanding tourism cooperation, investment and air
connectivity during today's meeting between Uzbekistan Tourism
Committee Chairman Abdulaziz Akkulov and Türkiye’s Minister of
Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy.


This was reflected in the statement by the Tourism Committee of
Uzbekistan.


The officials reviewed ways to expand bilateral tourism
exchanges and develop joint projects, including the use of
Türkiye’s experience in tourism management, destination
development, modern hotel infrastructure and digital
technologies.


“Uzbekistan and Türkiye have significant opportunities to expand
tourism cooperation through investment, direct business ties,
stronger air connectivity and the exchange of expertise,”
Uzbekistan’s Tourism Committee said.


The sides discussed establishing direct cooperation between tour
operators from the two countries and organizing
business-to-business forums and meetings.


Particular attention was given to tourism infrastructure.
Uzbekistan proposed attracting Turkish investors to develop modern
hotel complexes in regions across the country and bringing Turkish
international hotel brands to the Uzbek market.


The sides also discussed strengthening cooperation with Turkish
Airlines and other Turkish carriers, including expanding flight
routes and increasing air connectivity between Uzbekistan and
Türkiye.


Additionally, the meeting covered tourism education and
professional training. Uzbekistan proposed cooperation between
Cappadocia University and the Project Office for Tourism
Infrastructure Development under the Tourism Committee to develop
joint projects, prepare tourism professionals and create master
plans for tourism destinations. The Turkish side supported the
proposal.







Moreover, the sides discussed promoting Uzbekistan’s tourism
potential in the Turkish market through cooperation between
Türkiye’s public broadcaster TRT, the Turkish Tourism Promotion and
Development Agency (TGA) and relevant Uzbek organizations. Proposed
measures include media and press tours and greater use of digital
platforms, bloggers and media outlets.


Another proposal involves transforming preserved Uzbek
caravanserais in Türkiye into tourism and cultural centers that
could showcase Uzbekistan’s history and tourism attractions.


They discussed joint media projects targeting Turkish audiences,
including initiatives focused on pilgrimage tourism, the heritage
of Imam Bukhari and the International Islamic Civilization Center,
as well as tourism-related films and television series.


Cooperation with the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency
(TİKA), including joint tourism and education projects and
potential grant financing, was also reviewed.


The sides discussed preparations for the 31st Tashkent
International Tourism Fair – Tourism on the Silk Road, scheduled
for November 25–27, 2026. Uzbekistan proposed holding a meeting of
the Uzbekistan-Türkiye Joint Tourism Commission during the fair,
inviting Turkish tourism companies to participate with a national
pavilion and having Türkiye participate as a partner country in the
Invest Forum.


The initiatives are aimed at increasing tourist flows between
Uzbekistan and Türkiye, expanding tourism investment, improving air
connectivity and strengthening the exchange of expertise and
technology in the tourism sector.