The Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan is implementing two projects—'Gastro Marketplace' and 'Tourist Friendly Restaurants'—to popularize the country's national cuisine on the international stage and develop gastronomic tourism.
The Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan is implementing two projects—'Gastro Marketplace' and 'Tourist Friendly Restaurants'—to popularize the country's national cuisine on the international stage and develop gastronomic tourism.
According to the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan, about 80 people have already been selected to conduct culinary master classes, and approximately 40 restaurants are planned to participate in this initiative. The Committee emphasized that gastronomic tourism remains one of the fastest-growing segments of the global tourism industry.
It was noted that modern travelers increasingly seek not only to taste national dishes but also to learn about their history, preparation methods, and local culinary traditions.
In this context, a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development titled 'Tourism Trends and Policies' highlights the importance of diversifying tourism products, involving local businesses through digital platforms, and creating services based on unique travel experiences.
The Tourism Committee believes that Uzbekistan has significant potential in the field of gastronomic tourism. The country's cuisine, which developed along the Great Silk Road, includes well-known dishes such as plov, samsa, lagman, sivit osh, and tukhambarak.
Previously, Uzbekistan was recognized as a top destination for gastronomic tourism according to the National Geographic Traveler Awards, and Uzbek cuisine is regularly featured on the international platform TasteAtlas.
Under the 'Gastro Marketplace' project, a database has been created including about 80 individuals interested in conducting culinary master classes. This database will be used to promote their services on international digital platforms. Participants will also undergo training on international standards for serving foreign tourists.
Simultaneously, about 40 restaurants have been selected in the cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, Khorezm, and Tashkent to participate in the 'Tourist Friendly Restaurants' project. Standardized recipe cards, English menus, professional design concepts, and simplified balanced sets of traditional dishes are being prepared for these establishments.
The Tourism Committee expects these projects to help integrate Uzbekistan's national cuisine into the digital economy, expand the international presence of local businesses, introduce modern service standards, and strengthen the country's gastronomic brand. Furthermore, it is expected that the projects will support the development of family businesses, guesthouses, and restaurants by including them in the international tourism ecosystem.
The Chairman of the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan, Abdulaziz Akkulov, met with the Turkish Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Ufuk Ulutashev, to discuss the further development of bilateral interaction in the tourism sector.
The main focus of the negotiations was on increasing mutual tourist flows, expanding partnerships between tour operators and airlines, and implementing joint investment and marketing projects.
The parties also discussed issues of developing human resources potential in the tourism industry. In particular, they considered the possibility of conducting professional training and experience exchange programs for hospitality specialists from Uzbekistan in Istanbul and Antalya, as well as expanding educational and applied scientific cooperation with Cappadocia University.
Following the meeting, an agreement was reached to bring bilateral cooperation to a new level by strengthening ties between tourism organizations, tour operators, airlines, educational institutions, and travel agencies. Furthermore, the parties agreed to hold joint forums, business meetings, and implement investment projects.
The Turkish side was also invited to participate in the International Silk Road Tourism Fair, which will take place in Tashkent in November 2026, by presenting a national pavilion.
