Today, the tourism industry is becoming one of the leading sectors of economy of our country. As a result of policy of our President on reforming the industry, a number of large-scale practical works are being carried out in this sphere today.

On October 20 of this year in Samarkand within the framework of the 25th session of the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization the opening of “Silk Road” international tourism academy and thematic office took place. Rector of the university A.Abdukhakimov and Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Zurab Pololikashvili took part in the ceremonial event. They opened the International Academy of Tourism and thematic office “Silk Road”, which is considered important for the training of specialists in this field, and noted the importance for the development of the industry of the reforms carried out in this field today. Afterwards, the participants of the event were introduced to the conditions and facilities created in these buildings.

It is important that the commissioned International Academy of Tourism has created all conditions of international level for students to study this field in depth. The students are now trained in all the directions of service important for the sphere of tourism, as well as in the processes of practice. In addition, a modern library and classrooms have been built for the student youth to get knowledge.

The participants of the event were once again convinced of the high level of prosperity of the tourism sector in Uzbekistan, having familiarized with such highly created opportunities.

On October 16-20 of the current year, a number of events were organized in Samarkand within the framework of the 25th session of the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Tourism ministers of the world countries, heads of leading companies, scientists took part in the events. On October 20, within the framework of the 25th session of the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Secretary-General of this leading structure in the UN system Zurab Pololikashvili and the participants of the event, representatives of the media visited “Silk Road” International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage. Rector of our university A. Abdukhakimov accompanied and carefully familiarized with the large-scale work, educational processes carried out at the university.

On the initiative of our esteemed President, the National Costume Gallery was organized at the university, and all conditions and opportunities were created for students studying in the direction of “Tourism”. The guests were closely familiarized with the activities of laboratories where the tourism industry is organized. The practical work carried out at the university aroused great interest of all the guests.

On 20 October of this year, “Silk Road” International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage hosted joint scientific and practical conference dedicated to the development of tourism industry of the SCO countries. Opening the scientific and practical conference, Rector of our university A.Abdukhakimov in his opening remarks wished good luck to the conference, noting that today the development of tourism industry among the SCO countries is one of the important issues, in this regard Uzbekistan is ready to cooperate with all member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. SCO Deputy Secretary General Shri Janesh Kain also noted that the development of tourism industry among the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member states is one of the most urgent tasks and spoke of its serving as an important factor of further economic growth. Many lectures on the topic were also presented at the conference.

An international educational forum “Global Forum on Education: the basis of construction tourism” held in Samarkand within the framework of the 25th General Assembly of the UNWTO. More than 1200 foreign and domestic specialists and experts from more than 30 countries, including Azerbaijan, Belarus, Great Britain, Greece, India, Spain, Italy, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Malaysia, Pakistan and others, took part in it.

This World Tourism Organisation forum highlights the close link between education and tourism development. It once again reminded the global community of the crucial importance of education as a means of sustainable development and inclusive growth for the future of the tourism industry. Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Rector of “Silk Road” International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage Aziz Abdukhakimov, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, Minister of Pre-school and School Education Hilola Umarova and Executive Director of the UNWTO Education Direction Natalia Bayona took part in the forum. The lectures touched upon such topical issues as the establishment of continuity between tourism and education in the training of qualified specialists in the field of tourism at the present stage, strengthening of cooperation between the states in this direction, implementation of scientific and innovative achievements.

At the end of the international forum, a number of memoranda of understanding and co-operation were signed.

On October 20, 2023 at 9:00, a JOINT SCIENTIFIC AND PRACTICAL CONFERENCE DEDICATED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY OF THE SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANIZATION (SCO) COUNTRIES will start at "Silk Road" International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage. We invite all industry specialists!

On the 18th of October of this year the members of the delegation headed by the vice-chairman of the Council of Beijing Foreign Studies University Wang Xuyang visited our university. The first vice-rector of the university, Professor J.Eltazarov welcomed the guests and told about the work being done at the university to train specialists in the field of tourism in the coming years.

As you know, today our university signed co-operation agreements with a number of prestigious universities of the People’s Republic of China to train specialists in the field of tourism. Also in the last academic year 30 professors and teachers of our university visited China for training. In addition, professors from China teach students. During the dialogue, an agreement was reached to establish cooperation with Beijing Foreign Studies University as well.

On 18 October of this year, “Silk Road” International University of Tirism and Cultural Heritage hosted the presentation of projects in the framework of the “InnoWeek.uz-2023” week under the slogan “Creative education and innovation - the basis for the development of a new Uzbekistan”.

At this event, more than ten “StartUp” projects were presented by the talented, knowledge-seeking student youth of our university, and according to the results of the competition, three places were determined among the worthy ones, and the authors of the projects recognised as the best were awarded with cash and certificates.

On 16-20 October of this year, Samarkand State University is hosting events within the framework of the international week of innovative ideas “InnoWeek – 2023” under the slogan “Creative education and innovation - the basis for the development of a new Uzbekistan”. Teachers and students of “Silk Road” International University of Tirism and Cultural Heritage are also actively participating in these events with their ready-made innovative projects.

On the 18th of October of this year, Richard Quest, renowned international business journalist and CNN television presenter, visited our university. There are probably very few young people who do not know about Richard Quest. He is known for his creative and insightful ideas in business as a start-up entrepreneur who has many fans. The meeting of faculty and students of our university with Richard Quest was very interesting and full of creative answers.  The Vice-Rector of the university J.Hoffman led the events and handed the word to Richard Quest. Richard Quest addressed the student youth with a question about what are the main factors for the development of tourism business today. The student youth, even the faculty members, were engaged and tried to answer the questions.

“I was truly delighted with the answers of the university students who are studying here to become tourism specialists, their insightful and creative thoughts. I am confident that Uzbekistan will continue to develop thanks to educated young people in this type of tourism,” says Richard Quest.