ASTANA, September 14. /Dunyo IA/. Tourism forum titled “Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan: Strategic Partnership and the Formation of New Tourism Hubs” has concluded in Astana, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

Event brought together approximately 300 representatives from government authorities, the diplomatic corps, airlines, tour operators, the hospitality sector and the media of both nations.

Participants focused primarily on expanding direct air services, developing new tourist itineraries, and enhancing transport connectivity. Currently, more than 50 regular flights are operated weekly between the two countries, with six new routes launched over the past year.

Special focus was placed on the prospects of cooperation in the hospitality industry, medical and spa tourism, as well as pilgrimage and gastronomic tourism. Participants also highlighted the opportunities for joint promotion of the historical, cultural heritage, and culinary traditions of the two countries in third-country markets.

Forum featured three panel sessions with the participation of representatives from airlines, the hospitality sector, and the tourism industry. Furthermore, the event included a presentation of Uzbekistan's tourism potential, a showcase of the traditional and contemporary clothing collection by the “Nadi.uz” brand and an exhibition of traditional applied arts.

Following the forum, representatives of the tourism and business communities agreed to sustain efforts towards expanding air connectivity, establishing joint tourism routes and products, developing hospitality infrastructure and promoting Uzbekistan's tourism potential in the Kazakhstan market.