Following the President’s visit…

On November 28, 2023, a Resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan was adopted “On measures for the construction of modern service and tourist facilities in the mountain-recreational areas of Kashkadarya region”.

On June 19 this year, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed the outcomes of the work carried out in line with the tasks outlined in the resolution and during meetings dedicated to the development of tourism in the country.

At present, tourism is a promising sector for attracting investment and stimulating export activity. It contributes to job creation, increased household income, and the improvement of the overall appearance of local areas.

Kashkadarya region holds significant potential for the development of this sector.

In accordance with the Presidential Resolution, modern tourist facilities are being constructed in the mahallas of Miraki, Amir Temur, Uloch, and Polmon with the involvement of experts and leading international companies. On land plots totaling 240 hectares, 117 projects worth $400 million are planned for implementation. As a result, 1,700 permanent jobs will be created.

Until recently, these areas, with their favorable natural conditions, were often used without official permission. Informal recreational facilities had emerged there, many of which failed to meet even basic standards. Infrastructure was also lacking.

Today, this area has been transformed into the Miraki Tourism Cluster. It now features two large hotels, modern service centers, an entertainment complex, a 300-bed hostel, and a shopping center. The region is now capable of welcoming over 300,000 visitors annually and providing them with high-quality services.

To attract investment into tourist centers, it is essential to ensure the operation of external engineering and communication networks, as well as to develop the necessary infrastructure. In this regard, major repairs were carried out on the roads leading to the Miraki mahalla, and the power supply system was upgraded.

Along the banks of the Oqsuv River, eco-friendly pedestrian and bicycle routes spanning ten kilometers have been established.

At the heart of the tourism cluster lies the Miraki and Spa Resort recreation area.

“The conditions created here meet the most modern standards”, says Feruz Akhmedov, General Manager of the Miraki and Spa Resort recreation area. “Tourists are drawn to the new, convenient routes. In the vicinity of the Hisorak Reservoir, a cable car over 2 kilometers long and a restaurant located at an altitude of 2,700 meters have been established. The President emphasized the importance of supporting such tourism clusters and promoting their potential. These instructions are executed, and thanks to large-scale transformations, tourist flows to Kashkadarya are increasing”.

Last year, more than two and a half million tourists visited the region, with around half a million visiting Shakhrisabz district.

Ikrom Avvalboyev, photos by Rustam Nazarmatov, UzA