Tashkent hosted talks between the Chairman of the Uzbekistan Tourism Committee, Abdulaziz Akkulov, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Italy to Uzbekistan, Guido de Sanctis. The main topic of the meeting was the deepening of bilateral cooperation in the tourism sector and the search for new growth points.
The parties discussed a wide range of issues, from the development of cultural and educational tourism and modern approaches to the preservation of historical heritage to gastronomy, hotel management, and the promotion of tourism brands. Creative tourism, a promising area that is gaining popularity in both countries, was also discussed.
Special attention was paid to attracting well-known Italian hotel and restaurant chains to Uzbekistan, which will improve the quality of services and strengthen the country's image as a premium destination. The possibility of launching direct regular flights by Italian airlines to Uzbekistan was also discussed, which would significantly simplify logistics for travelers from the Apennine Peninsula.
In addition, Italian consulting companies can be involved in developing tourism development strategies for specific regions of Uzbekistan, primarily the Kashkadarya and Surkhandarya regions, as well as the Fergana Valley. This involves creating a modern infrastructure base that meets global standards and takes into account the specific features of each location.
In light of the steady increase in the number of visitors from Italy (approximately 18,000 Italian tourists visited the country in the first five months of 2026), the participants emphasized the importance of training professional tour guides with knowledge of the Italian language. This issue was highlighted as a priority to ensure a comfortable stay for visitors and further increase the tourist flow.
Following the negotiations, the parties confirmed their mutual commitment to continue actively cooperating in all the identified areas and agreed on specific steps to implement their plans.
