On 20 February, a new structure - the Tourist Guide Association of the Republic of Uzbekistan was established, Kun.uz correspondent reports about it referring to the statement of the Chairman of the State Committee for Tourism Development Abdulaziz Akkulov.

On February 21, within the framework of celebration of the World Day of Tourist Guides, the III International Forum of Tourist Guides “Great Silk Road: without boundaries” has started in Tashkent. Leading experts from Spain, France, the USA, India, Israel and Italy participated in the event and shared their experiences in the development of activities of tourist guides.

Chairman of the State Committee for Tourism Development Abdulaziz Akkulov congratulated all guides on their professional holiday and emphasized that export of tourist services grew from $546 to $1 billion 40 million as the number of tourists increased. At the same time, he stressed the need to focus on the quality of tourist products for the purpose of preserving and increasing the rates of tourism development.

“In maintaining the quality of touristic products, tourist guides play a crucial role. It is worth noting that today Uzbekistan is implementing a serious work to improve the normative-legal context in the tourism industry. A number of laws have been prepared and some are being amended, all of this has a significant impact on the tourism industry, including excursing activities,” he said.

In his speech, Abdulaziz Akkulov said that establishment of the Tourist Guide Association of the Republic of Uzbekistan on February 20, 2019 was an important step in implementation of the tasks set by the State Committee for Tourism Development. The Tourist Guide Association of Uzbekistan unites participants of the tourist market, contributes to the development of tourism in the country jointly with the Committee, the Tourism Training-Consulting Center and local guides.