The Chairman of the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan, A. Akkulov, organized a meeting with Nurlan Saparov, Executive Director of the Kyrgyz Association of Tourism Organizations (KATO), as well as with heads of major tour operators from both countries.
During the 'round table' held, participants discussed a number of steps aimed at increasing the number of tourists traveling between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Plans were outlined to develop common tourist routes and deepen interaction between the hotel sector, transport companies, and tour operators from Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Significant attention was paid to promoting the 'Uzbekistan – Kyrgyzstan' destination on the world stage. The parties agreed to organize informational tours for tourism industry specialists and to jointly present at major international exhibitions under the common name 'Central Asia'. As a result of the negotiations, it was decided to jointly attract visitors from third countries, as well as to support the launch of direct flights between Bishkek and Samarkand, and between Bishkek and Urgench.
Furthermore, the meeting participants confirmed their intention to continue expanding practical cooperation between the tourism businesses of the two states.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan held a meeting dedicated to developing measures to increase tourist flow from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Additionally, the implementation of a state program for developing domestic and pilgrimage tourism was discussed.
The event took place on July 13, 2026, in a hybrid format. It was organized as part of the execution of the President's Decree 'On Measures for Further Development of Domestic and Pilgrimage Tourism in the Republic of Uzbekistan' and the Cabinet of Ministers Resolution 'On Additional Measures for the Implementation of the Pilgrimage Tourism Program 'Umrah Plus''.
Representatives of the Committee on Tourism, the Committee on Religious Affairs, the Agency for Technical Regulation, regional administrations (khokimiyats) of Bukhara and Samarkand, the Tashkent City Administration, airlines Uzbekistan Airways and Uzbekistan Airports, as well as representatives of domestic air carriers, the Uzbekistan–Malaysia–Indonesia Travel Association, and the Umrah Pilgrimage Tour Operators Association took part in the discussion. About 40 representatives of private tourism companies were present.
Participants reviewed key issues concerning transport and logistics support, improving the quality of tourist services, and promoting Uzbekistan's potential in Southeast Asian markets. Special attention was paid to increasing flight frequency from Malaysia, launching direct routes to Indonesia and Singapore, developing pilgrimage tourism within the 'Umrah Plus' program, adapting infrastructure for foreign pilgrims to international halal standards, and strengthening partnerships with foreign tour operators.
The meeting was conducted in an open dialogue format based on the principle of 'problem – proposal – solution'. Participants discussed existing bottlenecks in the industry, exchanged practical recommendations, and assessed new opportunities for expanding bilateral tourism cooperation.
