The Bulletin of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) has published articles about traveling to the CIS countries during the New Year holidays, including Uzbekistan.

According to Uzbekistan.travel, the bulletin informs about the new prices of the leading tour operators of Russia to the CIS countries, opportunities for tourists for a comfortable stay in Uzbekistan, the introduction of the tax-free system in all tourist centers of the country.

It is noted that Uzbekistan has become one of the leaders in New Year’s demand among post-Soviet countries this year. According to the observation of specialists from leading travel companies, the demand for tours to Uzbekistan is associated with a rich and interesting excursion program in this country.

In the article “VAT will be returned to tourists in Uzbekistan and duty-free shops will be opened”, the authors tell that Uzbekistan plans to introduce a Tax-Free system in all tourist centers, which implies the return of VAT to foreign tourists for purchases made in the country. “This is carried out to stimulate inbound tourism and the development of internal trade in the country”, the publication says. – VAT refunds on purchases will be available to foreign citizens in Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara. Duty-free shops are also planned to be opened in these cities. The launch of the tax-free system was planned from July 1, 2020, and was supposed to be launched by 2022, but due to the pandemic and the closure of borders, it was temporarily suspended”.

The authors of the publication “What you need to see and try in Samarkand” acquaint Russian tourists with the gastronomic and architectural masterpieces of one of the ancient cities of Asia – Samarkand. Organizing an excursion into the history of the capital of Amir Temur, the publication describes the flourishing period of the city in the era of Temurids, the flourishing of enlightenment and science during the reign of Ulugbek, the grandson of Temur, who, with unprecedented accuracy, was able to calculate the length of the sidereal year – 365 days, 6 hours, 10 minutes, 8 seconds, and the error was less than a minute. Ulugbek also determined the inclination of the Earth's axis.

Walking along the central Registan square, the author talks about the unprecedented luxury of the majestic Sherdor and Ulugbek madrasahs, Tilla-Qori included in the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List. There are also shops of local artisans nearby. For those wishing to buy designer clothes and all kinds of products, the author advises visiting the Samarkand Crafts Center, located in a restored 19th-century caravanserai.

For the legendary Samarkand silk paper, the publication recommends visiting the village of Konigil in Samarkand region. Here silk paper is prepared using a special technology, which is passed on by local craftsmen from generation to generation.

UzA