The Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan has presented a draft government resolution for public discussion. This document introduces new requirements for foreign tour operators when selling tourism products abroad to Uzbek citizens.
The Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan has presented a draft government resolution for public discussion. This document introduces new requirements for foreign tour operators when selling tourism products abroad to Uzbek citizens.
According to the submitted draft, foreign tourism companies will be allowed to operate in the Uzbek market in two ways. Either they enter into an agreement with a local licensed tour operator authorized to organize international tourism, or they establish their own legal entity registered in Uzbekistan and obtain the corresponding license.
The draft also provides for a ban on direct sales of tours by travel agents from foreign operators without the involvement of a local licensed tour operator. This restriction applies to all sales channels, including websites, social networks, mobile applications, online payment systems, and other digital platforms.
In case of violation of this requirement, the sold tourism product will be considered unregistered on the National Tourism Platform, and the company may face regulatory measures provided for by law. Responsibility for fulfilling obligations to the tourist will fall on the local licensed tour operator or the foreign company's legal entity registered in Uzbekistan. It is the local operator's duty to register the tour package on the National Tourism Platform, pay the guarantee deposit, and ensure the issuance of an electronic tour code to the tourist.
The draft resolution also includes the creation of the 'Safe Tourism' fund. The assets of this fund are intended to compensate tourists for damages, as well as to cover costs for their accommodation, evacuation, and repatriation in emergencies. To obtain a tour operator license, operators are required to reserve an amount equivalent to at least 50,000 US dollars in the fund and collect a guarantee deposit from each sold tour. Every tourist purchasing a package for an international tour will receive a unique electronic code confirming the trip's registration on the National Tourism Platform, payment of the guarantee deposit, and inclusion of the traveler in the emergency protection system.
Uzbekistan is introducing a requirement for tour operators and travel agents engaged in outbound tourism to reserve funds. Upon obtaining a license, companies will be required to create a special fund with an amount of no less than $50,000.
These funds are intended to ensure the protection of citizens in case of difficulties arising during the organization of foreign trips. According to the draft government decree, these norms were disclosed by the Committee on Tourism for public discussion.
The reserve accumulations will be used to compensate tourists for material damage suffered due to the poor provision of services. Furthermore, the fund will cover expenses related to the temporary stay of citizens, including providing them with food, transportation, communication means, evacuation, and subsequent return to Uzbekistan.
In addition to the main sum, the fund will be replenished from several sources. These include targeted guarantee fees for each realized tour product, part of the fines imposed for licensing violations, donations, income from placing free funds in banks, international grants, and other sources permitted by law.
The amount of the targeted guarantee fee is set at 0.15 of the basic calculation unit for each tourist. This fee must be paid through the National Tourism Platform before the formation of the tourism code; without this code, the tour product will not enter the system of the fund's guarantee protection. Currently, the draft decree is undergoing public discussion, and proposals regarding it are accepted until July 30.
