Higher education in the field of tourism is transferred from 4 years to 3 years

Higher education in the field of tourism is transferred from four years to three years. Today, on July 16, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed proposals during a presentation on measures to improve tourism infrastructure in the regions and increase the flow of foreign tourists.

The issue of training specialists for the tourism industry is crucial. Starting next academic year, several innovations are planned. For instance, educational programs in tourism and hotel management will be enhanced based on the experiences of institutions ranked in the world's top 100. Higher education in this field is reduced from four years to three years. Students will have opportunities to develop their professional skills directly in the workplace while specializing.

Training courses for guides will be organized at Andijan, Bukhara, Samarkand, and Urganch State Universities, as well as at the Oriental Studies, World Languages, and "Ipak Yoli (Silk Road)" universities.

Additionally, tourism centers will be constructed based on master plans in high-potential areas. This year, 100 billion soums will be allocated from the national budget to improve the infrastructure in these areas. Moreover, each area will attract 50 million dollars in investments.

Various incentives are provided for entrepreneurs in the tourism sector. These include measures such as exempting buses and minibusses from customs duties, covering 50% of the expenses of tour operators and craftsmen at international fairs, and reducing profit tax by 50% for entrepreneurs organizing business events with foreign guests.

Mirziyoyev emphasized the need to create a national tourism brand for Uzbekistan. Content tailored to target markets will be created about the country's various types of tourism and promoted through international media, social platforms, and global sports and art events. Foreign journalists, bloggers, and influencers with large audiences will also be engaged in this effort.

To enhance tourist convenience, a single online platform will be launched to provide information about all air, rail, and bus routes, and to facilitate ticket purchases. A system for selling air, railway, and bus tickets at least six months in advance will be introduced. Additional flights will be available on public holidays, with regular updates provided through mass media and social networks.

The head of state has developed a document outlining these measures and provided instructions for their effective implementation.