A proposal has been put forward in Uzbekistan to adapt the tourism sector to hot climate conditions by introducing a 'siesta' system. According to the draft resolution, hotels, museums, restaurants, and other tourism industry facilities in four cities of the country will be able to adjust their working hours during the summer period, providing a break during the hottest hours of the day.
The Tourism Committee developed this draft resolution and submitted it for public discussion. The document provides for the launch of a pilot project in Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, which is scheduled to run annually from June 1st to August 31st. The proposed new operating schedule for tourist facilities is as follows: opening from 07:00 to 13:00, followed by a break known as 'siesta' from 13:00 to 17:00, and resuming operations from 17:00 to 23:00.
The new schedule is designed for a wide range of establishments, including hotels, hostels, guesthouses, museums, historical and architectural monuments, as well as restaurants, cafes, tour operators, travel agents, and recreational facilities. The project authors believe that this measure will help protect both tourists and industry workers from the harmful effects of intense heat, which in turn will make the vacation more pleasant, increase guest stay duration, and boost the overall occupancy of tourism infrastructure in the summer.
The provisions of the document also stipulate that during the daytime break, facilities must ensure comfortable waiting conditions for visitors, maintain air conditioning systems, and have on-duty staff and reception services. It is particularly emphasized that the introduction of 'siesta' should not lead to a reduction in employee wages or deterioration of their working conditions.
Restaurants and entertainment venues are advised to create special summer evening programs and develop seasonal menus. Museums and cultural heritage sites can organize formats such as 'Night Museum' or 'Evening Tour'. Furthermore, the authorities of Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva are encouraged to improve the evening operation of transport and ensure lighting in tourist areas during the evening and night.
If the initiative receives approval, the pilot phase will last until the end of August. After the summer, the Committee will assess the achieved results to decide on the possible expansion of the 'siesta' practice to other regions. It is worth noting that the government previously approved a new mechanism to support businesses, allowing entrepreneurs engaged in business tourism (MICE) in Uzbekistan to reclaim 50% of the paid value-added tax (VAT).
Uzbekistan is initiating a program called Country Placement, aimed at promoting the country through foreign films and series. The state has expressed readiness to provide financial assistance to international film productions on the condition that they feature iconic locations of the republic and highlight these attractions for a global audience.
Authorities expect that after the premieres of such films in cinemas or on popular streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon, interest in Uzbekistan will increase. This method is known as film tourism, which is actively used by many countries because viewers often visit filming locations after watching successful movies.
The search for suitable projects has been entrusted to the Project Office for Tourism Product Development. Specialists from this office will monitor the global film market, find promising ideas even at the script stage, and negotiate with film studios. To qualify for state support, filmmakers must include recognizable places, historical monuments, or tourist sites of Uzbekistan in their works, ensuring that the viewer clearly understands that the action takes place in this country.
In addition to mandatory requirements, the film must meet extra criteria. For example, it must be available on an international streaming platform with a base of at least one million paid users or undergo wide theatrical release in at least three countries, where screenings exceed one thousand showings. Participation of renowned figures in the film industry, such as actors, directors, or producers recognized with awards like the 'Oscar', 'Golden Globe', BAFTA, or prizes from major international film festivals, is also considered an advantage.
Each application will be reviewed by a special commission, and the amount of state aid will be determined individually for each project. Payments are planned in stages: the first part is made after shooting scenes related to Uzbekistan, and the remainder is paid after the film is released in theaters or on streaming services. Furthermore, Uzbekistan offers monetary compensation to attract foreign film crews and international film projects, allowing foreign film companies to reimburse some of the costs incurred during filming in the country.
