BEIJING, December 25. /Dunyo IA/. An official closing ceremony of the Year of Tourism of Uzbekistan in China was held in the capital of the People’s Republic of China. The event was organized by the Embassy of Uzbekistan jointly with the Tourism Committee, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The ceremony was attended by officials from the tourism authorities of both countries, industry experts, and representatives of the media.

Speakers noted a significant increase in tourist flows between Uzbekistan and China, as well as the launch of a number of new joint projects in the tourism sector. Prospective plans for the further development of bilateral tourism exchange were also discussed.

Within the framework of the Year of Tourism of Uzbekistan, initiated by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, China’s public was widely introduced to Uzbekistan’s rich historical and cultural heritage, unique tourist attractions, and national traditions.

In particular, throughout the year, roadshows, exhibitions, presentations, cultural performances, and more than 500 business meetings between representatives of the tourism industry were successfully organized in 20 major cities of China. This contributed to growing interest among Chinese tourists in Uzbekistan, resulting in a 3.7-fold increase in tourist arrivals compared to the same period in 2024.

Of special importance in elevating tourism cooperation to a new level was the introduction of a mutual visa-free regime, which significantly simplified travel for citizens of both countries and contributed to the sustainable growth of tourism exchanges.

Considerable attention was paid to expanding business ties with representatives of China’s tourism industry, as well as to organizing business forums and presentation meetings. In particular, on June 3, the international conference of the World Tourism Alliance, the WTA Silk Road Dialogue, was held in Samarkand. In addition, on September 1, the Tourism Office of Uzbekistan was officially opened in Beijing.

Close cooperation was also established with leading television channels such as CCTV, CGTN, and others, facilitating broad outreach to Chinese audiences regarding Uzbekistan’s tourism opportunities.

At the same time, cooperation has been consistently developing with major Chinese online platforms (Ctrip.com, Qunar.com) and social media networks (WeChat, Weibo, RedNote). Through these platforms, familiarization tours are organized for popular bloggers with millions of followers and Chinese tour operators, aimed at actively promoting travel to Uzbekistan.

This initiative has played an important role in strengthening Uzbekistan’s international tourism image. The Year of Tourism of Uzbekistan not only showcased the country’s tourism potential but also contributed to the further deepening of friendly and cultural ties between the peoples of Uzbekistan and China.