Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — In India’s capital, the Chairman of Uzbekistan’s Tourism Committee, Umid Shadiev, met with the President of the Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI), Himanshu Patil. The two sides discussed opportunities to expand cooperation in the tourism sector and promote Uzbekistan in the Indian market.

During the meeting, special emphasis was placed on Uzbekistan’s rich tourism potential, which attracts travelers with its unique cultural and natural landmarks. The Indian side expressed a strong interest in fostering active collaboration aimed at strengthening tourism ties between the two countries.

Key discussion points included sharing expertise on promoting Central Asia as a unified travel destination, organizing familiarization tours for Indian tour operators, media representatives, and bloggers, as well as increasing the frequency of flights between the two nations.

“We see enormous potential in working with our Indian partners. Joint initiatives will help make Uzbekistan more accessible and attractive to Indian tourists,” stated Umid Shadiev.

Uzbekistan’s initiative to attract Indian travelers is particularly relevant amid the global tourism boom, with the industry reaching a record US$1.9 trillion in 2024, according to UN Tourism. Notably, Indian tourists' spending on international travel surged by 81% over the past year compared to pre-pandemic levels, underscoring the market’s strong potential.

Experts believe that strengthening tourism cooperation between Uzbekistan and India will not only enhance economic ties but also play a key role in increasing Central Asia’s popularity among global travelers.