The Central Asian Republic of Uzbekistan recently organised its maiden edition of the India roadshow in the country’s financial capital Mumbai. The event was attended by leading Indian travel agencies based out of Mumbai. The roadshow was aimed at showcasing the diverse Uzbekistani tourism offerings to the Indian travel trade, boosting tour operators’ destination awareness and stimulating their interest in promoting Uzbekistan as an exciting tourism destination in the Indian outbound travel market.
The event was organised at Mumbai’s landmark Sofitel Hotel and was attended by an exclusive group of 75 top trade buyers and members of media fraternity. The event kick-started with a sublime welcome speech delivered by Ikboljon Soliev, Counsellor – First Secretary of The Republic of Uzbekistan Embassy in India, followed by an exhaustive destination presentation that showcased Uzbekistan for all segment of travellers, from FIT, family and group travel to as meetings and incentives travel destination. It also highlighted Uzbekistan’s tourism offerings and products that Indian market will particularly find more exciting.
One of the major highlights of the event was the inspiring interactive session conducted by the First Secretary Soliev with the trade partners who showed overwhelming interest in learning about the destination. While addressing industry questions on Uzbekistan tourism, the First Secretary shared detailed information on the destination, attractions, Visa issuance, accomodation availability, and more. The event was also attended by Sadriddin L Suyarov, Attachee at the Uzbekistan Embassy in India.
While highlightuing 30 years of diplomatic relations, since it’s formation as an independent Republic in 1991, First Secretary Soliev said, ”We have initiated Uzbekistan Tourism Roadshow here in India in the great city of Mumbai because of the fact that we would love to have more and more Indian travellers come to explore Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan and India have centuries of shared history and culture and it is high
time that it is reflected in the tourism between the two countries. Before pandemic, Uzbekistan recorded around 29,000 visitors in 2019. We are now witnesing steady growth and want that number to quadraple in the next three-four years.”
He also pointed that despite being very distinct in landscape, culture, attractions and experiences, Uzbekistan is a short haul destination with just over two hours flight that connects the capital of the two countries.
The First Secretary also assured the travel fraternity of all possible co-operation in facilitating travel between the two countries. Furthemore he said that henceforth Uzbekistan will continue to be present in the Indian market, showcasing the destination, engaging with the travel fraternity, partaking in industry events, building destination awareness through trade and media familiarisation tours, and such initiatives.
The road show concluded amid some roaring participation from the trade fraternity in raffles and lucky draws that saw a good six winners taking home, from souveniers like Uzbekistan’s famous ceramics and traditional arts to an all-inclusive tour package.
