DUSHANBE, 20.09.2025 (NIAT Khovar) – The second edition of the Dushanbe International Tourism Exhibition (DITE 2025) concluded today with a formal closing ceremony at the Dushanbe Expo Center. The event brought together key stakeholders from Tajikistan’s tourism sector and abroad, highlighting the country’s growing role in the international tourism arena.

The closing ceremony was attended by senior representatives of the Executive Body of State Authority of the City of Dushanbe, the Committee for Tourism Development under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, private sector leaders, representatives of government bodies, the Tajikistan Bloggers Association, and domestic and international media outlets.

In their remarks, officials emphasized the exhibition’s significant role in promoting sustainable development in the tourism sector and in strengthening international cooperation. It was proposed that the exhibition become an annual event, held in conjunction with World Tourism Day in Dushanbe, to showcase the country’s rich cultural and tourism assets on the global stage.

A Platform for Collaboration and Growth

The key objectives of DITE 2025 were underlined as:

• Expanding international tourism cooperation
• Attracting foreign investment and tourists
• Supporting the sustainable development of the national tourism industry
• Enhancing Tajikistan’s global image as an emerging and attractive travel destination in Central Asia

More than 10,500 visitors attended the three-day exhibition, held from September 18 to 20, where they were able to engage directly with tourism operators, government representatives, and travel experts. Guests had the opportunity to learn about the tourism potential and resources of Tajikistan and participating countries, while exploring a wide variety of tourism products and services presented by over 200 companies, including 65 international exhibitors.

Countries represented included Germany, the United Kingdom, Russia, Türkiye, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the United States, Iran, Pakistan, Bahrain, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Yemen, Syria, and Morocco.

DITE 2025 was organized under the initiative of the Executive Authority of Dushanbe and supported by the Committee for Tourism Development under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan. The event was implemented by Somon Travel in collaboration with local and international development partners.

Plenary Sessions and Expert Discussions

A major feature of the exhibition was the plenary session, which gathered tourism experts, policymakers, and business leaders to explore the future of global tourism. Key topics discussed included:

• Preparing human capital for the tourism industry of the future
• The role of tourism ambassadors in Silk Road countries
• Global megatrends shaping tourism development by 2030 and evolving traveler preferences
• Changing international competition for tourists and investment in the tourism sector
• The impact of sports tourism on international relations and national branding
• The role of digital tools (social media, marketplaces, mobile apps) in promoting destinations and adapting to changes in traveler behavior
• The power of content (videos, storytelling, blogs, and virtual tours) and strategies to compete with global platforms like Booking.com, Airbnb, and TripAdvisor
• The importance of digitalization and online platforms in attracting investment and increasing global visibility

Additionally, a masterclass on «Digital Tools for Tourism Promotion» was held, providing participants with practical knowledge and best practices in digital marketing and tourism innovation.

Business Partnerships and Cultural Exchange

As part of the event’s business-oriented approach, B2B meetings were conducted between Tajik and international companies, resulting in new agreements and strategic partnerships aimed at developing joint tourism initiatives and increasing tourist flows to Tajikistan.

A highlight of the exhibition was the Festival of National Dishes, where visitors sampled authentic Tajik cuisine, including traditional dishes such as plov, fatirmaska, and shirchoy, offering a rich taste of the country’s culinary heritage.

Honoring Contributors and Looking Ahead

During the closing ceremony, select participants and partners—particularly from the media and blogging communities—were recognized with DITE Awards 2025, certificates of appreciation, and official letters of recognition for their contribution to the success and visibility of the event.

It should be noted that the first edition of DITE was successfully held in 2024, at the initiative of the Chairman of Dushanbe, Honorable Rustam Emomali, marking the beginning of a new platform for domestic and international tourism collaboration.