Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 5 March, an international event entitled “Khiva - a tourist city of the Islamic world” was held in the historical complex of Ichan-Kala in the city of Khiva.

The event was attended by representatives of the secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), experts, the leadership of the Committee for Tourism and the Khorezm region khokimiyat, as well as representatives of the media.

At the XI session of the tourism ministers of the OIC member states, held on June 27-29, 2022 in Baku, the city of Khiva was awarded the status of “Tourist City of the Islamic World” in 2024.

During the event, the head of the delegation of Uzbekistan, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change Aziz Abdukhakimov, made a presentation on the policy of openness in the tourism sector, simplification of the visa regime and the preservation of cultural heritage. Particular attention was paid to reforms, history, culture and tourism potential of the city of Khiva.

The assignment of Khiva to the status of a tourist city of the Islamic world by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation opens up new prospects for the development of domestic and foreign tourism, the construction of new infrastructure facilities, museums and exhibitions. The project also helps to increase the volume of exports of tourism services.

In May 2024, the XII session of the ministers of tourism of the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation is planned to be held in Khiva.