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Smart tourism to be developed in Uzbekistan

9 January 2018 14:50 (UTC+04:00)
Smart tourism to be developed in Uzbekistan

By Kamila Aliyeva

Uzbekistan, aiming to develop its tourism industry and attract greater number of foreign travelers, takes consistent steps in this direction.

Uzbekistan’s State Committee on Tourism is initiating the development of a concept of smart technologies at cultural heritage sites and in state museums.

Recently, social networks spread the information that about 50 historical monuments of Bukhara were equipped with QR codes in the framework of the Verum QR smart tourism development project being implemented in the country.

These codes allow tourists in a matter of seconds to receive all information about the historical facility in a convenient and accessible form, as well as about nearby hotels, restaurants and other attractions on the smart phone.

It is planned that before April 1, all information embedded in the QR-codes will be available in 12 languages.

Now the new technology can be tested in the Poi Kalan complex; Gaukushon, Kukeldash, Nodir Devonbegi madrasas; Toqi Sarrofon, Toki Telpakfurushon, Toki Zargaron domed bazaars; at the Lyab-i Khauz square, at the monument to Nasreddin Afandi; in the Samanid Mausoleum; Arch Citadel and the Jewish Synagogue.

In February, hotels, restaurants and other objects of the tourism industry of the region will have their QR-codes.

At the same time, today the agency, together with the interested ministries, is studying the issue of developing a concept of smart technologies at cultural heritage sites and in state museums. Thus, it turns out that the issue of dissemination of Bukhara's experience to all regions of the country is currently being discussed.

However, according to sources, the concept should cover such areas as the introduction of a single ticket and electronic visitor registration system, virtual tours, installation of audio guides, the development of electronic catalogs of historical monuments in foreign languages ​​and their 3D models, the creation of mobile applications that allow translation and comments of classical texts, as well as detailed information on the relevant objects of cultural and historical heritage.

Uzbekistan, being home to Bukhara, Khiva and Samarkand – three cities considered jewels along the Old Silk Road trade routes that used to connect Europe and Asia, enjoys a large number of tourists. Thousands of tourists visit the cities every year.

There are many types of tourism being offered in Uzbekistan: historical and cultural tourism, ethnic tourism, adventure tourism, ecological tourism and health tourism.

The tourist infrastructure in recent years has been raised to a fairly high level. In particular, 1,176 tourist organizations, including 621 tour operators, 555 hotel farms, successfully operate in Uzbekistan. An extensive network of hotels for more than 25,000 seats meet modern international standards.

During January-September 2017, about 1.8 million tourists visited Uzbekistan, which is 17 percent more than in the same period of last year.

In attempt to attract more tourists, Uzbekistan also plans to introduce electronic entry visas (E-Visa). Acquisition and installation of necessary equipment, development of special software products, as well as testing of the "Electronic Visa" system using the infrastructure of the existing biometric passport system of Uzbekistan is planned to be completed this summer.

The introduction of the e-visa issuance system will require simplification of the visa regime in the country. Issuance of electronic visas will be carried out at the airports of the country in accordance with written applications filed by foreign citizens during processing of documents and regardless of the presence of the Uzbek diplomatic representation in the country where the clearance process takes place.

Earlier it was reported that Uzbek embassies in foreign countries will render all consular services by using e-documents in 2018. Exit visas will be canceled in Uzbekistan from 2019. New departments were opened abroad in 2017 to render consular and other services to compatriots.

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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz

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