DUSHANBE, 09.08.2019 (NIAT Khovar) – Today 400 people, including the representatives of industry branches of partner countries, international organizations, such as the World Tourism Organization (WTO), travel agencies, hotels, boarding houses, resorts, associations, and international experts from 25 countries gathered in Dushanbe to attend the International Tourism Forum and Exhibition Tajikistan-2019.

While welcoming forum participants, the First Deputy Prime Minister of Tajikistan Davlatali Said showcased the country’s tourist sites.

“Tour operators are exempt from income tax, which is a very important incentive. To date, 168 companies are actively working in Tajikistan. Investment projects to improve infrastructure, build hotels, and sanatoriums have been adopted,” noted Said.

“Cooperation with the WTO is of great importance for the development of tourism in our republic. Tajikistan pays great attention to the development of ecotourism, cultural tourism, and agrotourism,” continued Said.

Delivering his speech, WTO representative Peter Yanech welcomed President Emomali Rahmon’s initiative on declaring the 2019-2021 the Years of Rural Development, Tourism and Folk Crafts.

“For us, this means that the government of Tajikistan is committed to supporting the development of tourism,” said Yanech.

According to Yanech, Tajikistan is a country with rich nature, interesting geography, ancient history and culture, as well as stunning mountainous  landscapes. All this must be utilized for the development of tourism.

Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s (SCO)  Deputy Secretary General Xie Xiaoyong called the International Tourism Forum Tajikistan-2019 an important event and read out a welcome speech by the SCO Secretary General Vladimir Norov, in which he expressed gratitude to the government of Tajikistan for organizing such an important event.

“In 2018, during the SCO Summit in Qingdao, a plan of joint actions was signed to implement a cooperation program in the field of tourism, which defines practical steps to promote tourism,” recalled Xiaoyong.

The forum participants were divided into four discussion panels, each on specific topics such as “Tourism is an important factor in expanding ties,” “Ecological tourism, climate and cultural-historical travels,” “Health tourism, health and recreation,” and “Development of folk crafts and economic incentives.”

A B2B business dialogue, networking, signing of a memorandum, a final meeting and the adoption of a declaration will also take place within and following the forum.

Yesterday the forum participants visited the picturesque tourist sites, including  Varzob, the cities of Norak and Tursunzoda.

During the visit, guests also got acquainted with the conditions, capabilities and the level of service at the Khoja Obi Garm sanatorium.