Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A series of training seminars within the framework of the Project "Development of CBT tourism in Uzbekistan by increasing the professional competencies of rural residents"  was held from 22 to 26 February in Konigul mahalla near Samarkand.

At the seminars, the participants were able to familiarize themselves with the key topics necessary for building a business: managing a guest house, organizing reception, meals and leisure for guests, considered the basics of drawing up a financial plan and marketing for a guest house, and also underwent psychological training on the principles of effective communication and conflict resolution and controversial issues. At the end of the five-day program, the participants presented their business plans.

Why Konigul? This is the first tourist village in Uzbekistan, where they show a lot of folk crafts - the ancient art of making Samarkand silk paper, jewelry, national dishes, ceramics and much more - all in one place! In the future, the route will increase to 3.3 kilometers.

What is a tourist village? According to the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On measures for the further development of the tourism sector in the Republic of Uzbekistan", settlements that have at least 20 family guest houses and provide at least 5 types of services for tourists will be assigned the status of "Tourist mahalla", "Tourist village" or " Tourist aul ".

The project was implemented by the Association of Private Tourism Organizations of Uzbekistan (APTA) jointly with the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Tourism Development, the Tourism Development Department of Samarkand Region with the support of the USAID Entrepreneurship and Business Environment Development Project. 

The implementation of the Project will help increase the potential of the tourism business in Uzbekistan and create conditions for new jobs, increase the income of rural residents, and will also contribute to the professional, creative and personal realization of women in rural areas. In the future, the organizers of the Project will continue to help the villagers create new tourism products, promote their services and expand their business.