News

What work is being done in the field of tourism and sports during the coronavirus pandemic? What new approaches are being used to develop these areas? What new projects are planned?

These and other questions were answered by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Chairman of the State Committee for Tourism Development Aziz Abdukhakimov.

Aziz Abdukakhkhorovich, what is being done to develop tourism and sports at a time when, due to the outbreak in the world of the pandemic, our country is also taking measures to prevent the proliferation of Covid-19, in particular, measures are being postponed in these two directions and flights are canceled?

Yes, at present there is a mandatory self-isolation regime in our country. However, during this period one does not need to sit idly by, one must use time efficiently, use new methods for the development of these industries. For example, the State Committee for Tourism Development is currently working on the development of online tourism, support for entrepreneurs and startups, and the Ministry of Physical Culture and Sports has already begun work on the active development of distance sports and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle.

Also, in cooperation with the Association of private tourism agencies of Uzbekistan (APTA), the Association of Chefs, the Gastronomic Association, free online courses and webinars are organized to improve the qualifications of personnel and specialists. A number of representatives of the travel industry are contributing to the fight against coronavirus and are participating in various charity events.

In addition, the State Committee for Tourism Development, together with APTA and the National PR Center, is developing a strategy for promoting the national product abroad. According to him, after the end of the quarantine period, it is planned to organize a Road-show in the countries of Europe and the CIS.

Speaking separately about the development of online tourism, what exactly is being done in this direction?

Currently, the State Committee for Tourism Development and the National PR Center under it are working on the launch of the online-tourism.uz website, which will make it possible to make virtual tourist trips around Uzbekistan. This will be the first platform to offer virtual travel around our country.

In the current difficult period, it is important to strengthen the promotion of tourism in Uzbekistan. This will allow tourists to plan their trips in advance from the comfort of their homes. The new site is expected to launch in the coming days.

What areas does the Online-tourism.uz website include?

According to the concept, this site will mainly operate in three areas:

For tourists. That is, it will allow you to make virtual tours throughout Uzbekistan.

To date, cooperation with museums and other tourist sites has already begun to launch virtual tours. Taking this opportunity, we would like to engage our talented professionals working in this field to cooperate and organize online tours together. At the same time, we urge the owners of cafes, restaurants and other tourist facilities to take the necessary measures to launch the virtual tour, as this will allow tourists to choose the most suitable place for them right now. If representatives of the tourism business have certain difficulties in this regard, the necessary advice and recommendations will be presented on the website online-tourism.uz.

For representatives of the tourism industry. Cooperation with hotel owners and managers, tour operators, guest houses, guides, etc. will be strengthened, and work will continue to further develop the industry. The platform will host webinars covering the latest global trends and news, online observations and online travel guides. Their employment will be ensured during and after the crisis.
For startups looking to implement new travel projects. It will collect information on new projects for the development of tourism and startups, launch online consulting, etc. Grants are planned to be allocated for the implementation of creative projects.

During the quarantine period, the tourism business is going through difficult times. What kind of support is provided by the state?

As our esteemed President Shavkat Miromonovich noted, in such a difficult period, our state will not disregard a single entrepreneur. In accordance with Presidential Decrees No. 5969 of March 19, 2020 and No. 5978 of April 3, 2020, enterprises, including in the tourism sector, were provided with a number of benefits during the pandemic. Tour operators, travel agents, accommodation facilities are exempt from land tax and property tax until December 31, pay social tax at a reduced rate (1%); for accommodation facilities, restaurants and other entities with property, the accrual of penalties for property tax, land tax and tax for the use of water resources has been suspended, no measures will be taken to collect tax arrears; for individual entrepreneurs associated with the tourism sector (family guest houses, guides, artisans), the income tax levied on individuals was reduced by 30%, and the calculation of a fixed amount of income tax and social taxes for those who were forced to stop activities during the quarantine period.

In this case, entrepreneurs can online notify the tax authorities from home about the termination of their activities. Loan payments (hotels, tour operators, transport and logistics companies) were deferred.

In addition, privileges were provided for export-import operations (if the receivables do not exceed 10% of the total annual export, it is allowed to export goods without securing a guarantee payment, a one-time import of technological equipment and raw materials in exchange for repayment of receivables on foreign trade operations) ; the application of a fine for late payment of receivables on foreign trade operations (for travel services sold to foreign partners) has been suspended; tax audits were canceled.

What advice would you give to those in quarantine?

Nowadays, when most people are at home, it is very important to stay physically active. I would recommend that they pay special attention to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and getting more exercise. At a time when people use the Internet extensively, anyone can download sports apps suitable for them and exercise. Let's say someone wants to run a certain distance, someone else has decided to lose weight, and someone has decided to switch to a healthy diet. They can also achieve these goals at home.

Stay at home and try to effectively use this period for yourself, develop as a person and work on yourself, strictly observe the rules of hygiene, read more books, as constant mental and physical development will certainly lead you to good results.

Source: uzbektourism.uz