10.08.2009

     A round table on "Tourism in Uzbekistan and investment opportunities in tourist sphere" was held in the headquarters of the Arabian Tourist Organization (ATO) in Jeddah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

     Experts, representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, business groups of Saudi Arabia, specialized in the sphere of tourism and hotel business, representatives of ATO and others participated in the meeting, Jahon reported.

     Deputy Secretary General of ATO G. Motaina noted that ATO is a subject of Arabian States League (ASL), which in turn with corresponding institutions regulate and coordinate the activity of private sector in the sphere of tourism. "The collaboration of Uzbekistan with ATO opens wide opportunities for development of tourism sector in both countries," he said.

     The ATO meeting considered the draft agreement between ATO with corresponding Uzbek organizations. In line with the document it is supposed to open the first ATO office in Uzbekistan among CIS, implementing uniform system of electronic tourism, and regular conduction of Uzbek Arabian tourist forum.

     A presentation of the Uzbek tourist potential was made within the round table. The presentation included reports on achievements of Uzbekistan during the years of independence, celebration of 2200th anniversary of Tashkent. It was accompanied by a documentary film narrating the historical and cultural places of interest, investment potential of tourist sector of Uzbekistan.

     A well-known Arabian entrepreneur, member of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Jeddah Rakhmatulla Kori noted that such events were in demand among people of Saudi Arabia. He in particular mentioned that just for the first half of the current year two tourist agencies of Uzbektourism national company started their activity on the territory of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which in turn shall assist to the increase of tourist's inflow to Uzbekistan.