The 17th Tashkent International Tourism Fair "Tourism on the Silk Road" opened in Uzbekistan, on the territory of Uzexpocentre, on 2 November 2011.

The organizers of the fair are Uzbektourism National Company, TNT Expo Exhibition Company, and The Great Silk Road Advertising Agency, endeavored to make the fair a first-rate tourism event of the year in Central Asia.

TITF is targeted at both the professionals interested in promotion of specified tourist product "Silk Road", and at the devotees of cultural and active tours along the countries that in the ancient times hosted this historical transcontinental trade road.

Due to this fact the TITF is included in the list of major international events in tourism sphere conducted under the aegis of United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

"Tashkent International Tourism Fair "Tourism on the Silk Road" is a vivid example of strength and viability of tourism sector. International trade fairs are the principal platforms of marketing and sales and a global "junction", which links all the aspects of tourism industry", noted the UNWTO Executive Director Zoltan Samogyi in his welcoming address to the fair participants.

In his judgment, the participation of key tourist organizations and interesting business programme of the current fair guarantee fruitful business meetings and vast opportunities for making new business contacts.

Traditionally, creating all the conditions for business meetings and negotiations, TITF-2011 acts as a handy platform for carrying on a constructive dialogue of tourism industry partners.

This year about 90 stands of participating tourism enterprises from 36 countries represent such countries as Uzbekistan, France, India, Czech Republic, UAE, Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Israel, Turkey, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Thailand, Malaysia, Jordan, Syria, Spain, Italy, Indonesia, Egypt and others.

Unlike previous years, the current fair features some distinctions which, as the fair organizers believe, will be positively appreciated by both professionals and travel enthusiasts. 

Thus, this year the TITF dates concur with the Autumn "Mega-info-tours" for foreign tour operators - a new marketing initiative of "Uzbektourism" National Company, which has been implemented since early 2011.

Due to this fact, the representatives of 500 foreign travel agencies and about 100 foreign journalists from 31 countries will visit the current Tashkent tourism forum.

The substantial exposition floor space (about 5000 square metres) makes it possible to represent the whole structure of tourism market. Thus, the list of participating companies includes tour operators and tour agents, big chain hotel complexes and small private hotels, sanatoriums and resort centres, transportation companies, air carriers, global reservation systems, providers of tourism business software and tourism services, museums, and entertainment and recreation industry enterprises.

Taking into consideration last year experience, and with the purpose of creating favourable conditions for exhibitors, there was arranged "Uzbekistan National Pavilion" and "International Pavilion".

At the same time, the design of Uzbekistan national tourism exposition, which occupies 4 exhibition pavilions of "Uzexpocentre", has been considerably modified. Colourful stands of various regions of Uzbekistan and Karakalpak Autonomous Republic vividly demonstrate their local cultural and climatic peculiarity, representing each region as independent, all-season tourist destination.

The visitors can acquaint themselves with broad information on various types of tourism offered by the country. The exposition covers the potentialities of such types of tourism as cultural and educational tourism, active tourism, ecotourism, medical and health-improving tourism.

Foreign guests will undoubtedly be impressed by the unique architectural monuments of the past, concentrated in such historical centres as Samarkand, Khiva, Bukhara, Shakhrisabz, and Tashkent,; the immense Kyzyl Kum and Kara Kum deserts suitable for trekking and horseback riding tours; the snow-capped Tien Shan mountains, which are ideal for heli-ski and mountaineering; national nature reserves and resort.

"International pavilion" comprises the stands of foreign tourist companies interested in developing business contacts and strengthening the cooperation in tourism sphere with countries, integrated under the single brand officially known as "The Silk Road". The pavilion united over 68 foreign companies.

The concomitant programme of the TITF has become more eventful and varied. It includes national presentations, shows of tourist products and technologies, seminars, award ceremonies in various tourism contests nominations, interesting concert programme.

In addition to business meetings, the TITF-2011 participants will be able to share their experience and improve their professional skills at the UNWTO seminar "Innovative solutions for tourism industry development". The new Executive Director of the Secretariat of the UNWTO Affiliate Members Javier Blanco and UNWTO programme coordinator Dmitriy Ilin will report on the tourism development tendencies.

TITF-2011 programme, which includes a number of presentations, to a large extent will assist to define the tendencies of market development, to apprehend innovations, and to acquire new ideas to be realized in tourism business.

In particular, mass media presentation of the catalogue "The Best Uzbekistan's Hotels 2012/2013" and the Capital Bank's product "Holiday credit" are targeted at tourists.

For the first time at Tashkent tourism fair there will be organized an open contest of tourist photos "The Great Silk Road".

Sixty eight local and foreign photographers, professionals and amateurs alike, have demonstrated their vision of the Silk Road heritage. Among 423 various photographs in four areas: architecture, culture, portrait and landscape, the competent jury, represented by well- known photographers and photo artists of Uzbekistan, have chosen the winners in three nominations: "Discovery of the year", "Photographer of the year", and "Photo of the year". The winners will be announced on 3 November, the TITF second working day.

There will be also held the traditional "Best of the best" Award Ceremony in three nominations: "Golden fund of tourism and sightseeing", "For active participation in job placement of Uzbekistan higher education graduates" , "Best teacher/tutor in tourism sphere 2011".

To create festive atmosphere at the TITF-2011, the organizers of the fair arranged entertainment programme, which gives the guests and participants an opportunity to relax and at the same time to familiarize themselves with the peculiar culture of Uzbek people.

During the TITF-2011, the territory adjacent to the exhibition pavilions will become the venue for a number of expositions: "Festival of national cuisine", "City of craftsmen", and "Oriental bazaar". The visitors will be able to get to know some secrets of Uzbek national cuisine, to taste the popular Uzbek dish 'pilov' cooked by folk master chefs, get their dose of adrenaline while watching the show of Active Tourism Federation, to delight in performances of Uzbek music groups, to marvel at the beauty of national dress during the fashion parade organized by Design-centre under State Stock Company Uzbekengilsanoat.

Tashkent International Tourism Fair "Tourism on the Great Silk Road" is the biggest meeting place for the professionals of Uzbek and international tourism businesses that pursue the common goal of improving and developing the industry by enhancing business partnership. 

uzdaily.com

02.11.2011 18:52