Analysis of Cooperation in the Tourism Sector between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan: a Study of Cross-border Value Chains

Sufficient Range of Touristic Products
It was noted by majority of respondents that the amount and diversity of touristic activities and 
sites in both Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan is sufficient for the current tourist flows between the 
countries. In Uzbekistan, differentiation of tourist products and destinations across the whole 
country and throughout all seasons of the year is one of strategic sector priorities. Examples of 
such diversification efforts are the following: i) in addition to traditionally known Uzbek 
destinations and types of activities, there are local tourism development strategies fit to local 
specifics of the territories, e.g. mountain tourism in mountainous areas, etc.
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, ii) action plans for 
development of ziyorat (pilgrimage), medical
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as well as other types of tourism, iii) launch of a 
new skiing and all-season mountain resort in the Tien Shan mountains in Tashkent region in 
December 2019. This resort is expected to attract 32,800 additional tourists in 2020 and 
eliminate tourist seasonality issues in that region
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.
No Major Barriers in Accommodation 
Most of respondents reported that there are no major barriers in the accommodation sector both 
in Uzbekistan and in Kyrgyzstan for the current tourist flows between the countries. However, 
based on numerous anecdotal evidence, due to rapid increase of visitors to Uzbekistan during 
2017 - 2019, there are problems to find a room across the country in high seasons (especially in 
larger hotels). In this context, Uzbekistan has initiated hotel infrastructure support programs
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that provide subsidies, compensations and privileges to attract new investors. As a result, over 
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A separate report with detailed overview of the research findings is available upon request 
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Examples of regional tourism strategies in Uzbekistan - Resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of 
Uzbekistan i) #119 dated 13.02.2019 “About Additional Measures for Tourism Development in Khorezm Region in 
2019-2020” (<
https://lex.uz/docs/4199720
>); ii) #198 dated 08.03.2019 “About Measures for Effective Use of 
Tourism Potential of Kashkadarya Region” (<
https://www.lex.uz/docs/4231704
>). In total, there are 13 administrative 
territories in Uzbekistan, and many of them have a dedicated tourism strategy. 
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Draft Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Additional Measures to Increase the 
Effectiveness of Ongoing Reforms in the Tourism Sector”, published for comments 
<
https://regulation.gov.uz/ru/document/10984
>
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UzDaily.uz (2019) An Opening Ceremony of the Amirsoy Ski Resort Takes Place, viewed on December 23, 2019 
<
https://uzdaily.uz/en/post/53805
>
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Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan #433 dd. May 27, 2019 “On Measures to Create 
Favorable Conditions for Further Development of the Hotel Industry”, < 
https://uzbektourism.uz/ru/hotels
 > 
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Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dd. January 5, 2019 #UP-5611 “On Additional Measures for 
Accelerated Development of Tourism in the Republic of Uzbekistan”, <
http://www.uza.uz/ru/documents/o-merakh-
po-uskorennomu-razvitiyu-turistskoy-otrasli-05-01-2019
> 

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1,500 new hotels are expected to emerge by the beginning of 2022
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. Some new global hotel 
chains, such as Hilton and Marriott, are entering the Uzbek market in 2019-2020
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. With regard 
to Kyrgyzstan, Uzbek tourists and travel companies mentioned that a wide range of 
accommodation of different price range is available in Issyk-Kul. Some respondents mentioned 
that Osh region in Kyrgyzstan needs more and better quality accommodation, as well as other 
infrastructure, to capture tourists.