A meeting was held in Istanbul between Abdulaziz Akkulov, Chairman of the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan, and Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Minister of Culture and Tourism of Turkey. The goal of the negotiations was to further strengthen tourism ties between the two countries, increase mutual tourist flow, develop new travel routes, and create joint tourism products.
The parties emphasized that the shared history, language, culture, and values of both nations serve as an important foundation for cooperation in the field of tourism. Special attention was paid to studying Turkey's experience in managing tourist destinations, hotel operations, preserving cultural heritage, and developing gastronomic tourism.
Participants also discussed opportunities to create joint tourism offerings in the areas of pilgrimage tourism, tourism related to the heritage of Islamic civilization, and MICE tourism. Furthermore, the sides exchanged views on organizing familiarization trips for media representatives and bloggers from both countries, which will allow for broader promotion of their tourism potential in international media, as well as facilitate the exchange of experience among industry specialists.
Following the meeting, the parties signed a Joint Action Plan for Cooperation in the Field of Tourism between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Turkey for the period 2026–2028. This document defines specific areas of interaction aimed at expanding mutual tourism exchanges, developing pilgrimage tourism, forming joint routes, and participating jointly in international events, as well as improving the professional skills of industry workers and developing the tourism potential of Uzbekistan's regions.
These agreements lay an important foundation for implementing new practical initiatives in tourism relations between the two countries, contributing to an increase in the number of tourists from Turkey visiting Uzbekistan and fostering long-term mutually beneficial cooperation.
