On September 13th, Minsk played host to the inaugural Belarusian-Uzbek Tourism Forum, a significant event marking the beginning of a new era of collaboration between the two nations in the travel and tourism sector. Held at the prestigious President Hotel, the forum gathered a diverse group of attendees, including travel agents, trade unions, representatives from specialized ministries, and key business figures. The event aimed to foster stronger ties between Belarus and Uzbekistan in the tourism sector, exploring opportunities for growth and cooperation.
The forum’s plenary session focused on key areas for potential collaboration. Discussions centered around strategies for boosting tourism in both countries, the importance of training programs for tourism professionals, and the potential for expanding health tourism. This focus on health tourism is particularly relevant given that Uzbekistan consistently ranks among the top ten countries for tourist service exports to Belarus.
Beyond the forum’s formal agenda, the strong historical ties between Belarus and Uzbekistan provide a solid foundation for building stronger business relationships and expanding regional cooperation, especially in the tourism sector. This forum marks the fifth major business event between the two nations this year, demonstrating their commitment to fostering closer economic ties. Earlier in August, the second Uzbek-Belarusian Women’s Business Forum took place, and during a recent official visit to Tashkent by a Belarusian parliamentary delegation, over 40 agreements were signed, including commercial contracts totaling more than 140 million Belarusian rubles.
The forum’s success is further strengthened by the robust air link between Belarus and Uzbekistan, with five weekly flights operating between Minsk and Tashkent. This facilitates travel and tourism between the two countries, making it easier for citizens of both nations to experience the unique cultural and historical attractions each has to offer. The inaugural Belarusian-Uzbek Tourism Forum serves as a testament to the growing partnership between the two countries, and it is expected to pave the way for even greater collaboration in the tourism sector in the years to come.
