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1134
Section 17. Economics and management
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.20534/ESR-17-1.2-264-267
Musaev Husanboy Hasanovich, Scientific researcher
of the Samarkand Institute of Economics and Service, Uzbekistan
E-mail: [email protected]
Tourism in Uzbekistan: opportunities and new challenges
Abstract: Tourism is one of the fast growing and high income-generating industries in the world, which contributes to strengthening of international socio-economic, cultural and spiritual relationships. Uzbekistan pays considerable attention to the development of tourism as one of the leading countries in the world, having rich cultural and historical potential,. However, study and analysis of this issue raised a wide layer of problems, related to the development of tourism. This article describes priorities for further development of tourism in Uzbekistan.
Keywords: Tourism, cultural and historical potential, international travel destinations, UNWTO, increase in the number of tourists, tourist products, investments, the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the development of tourism, advertising campaigns, tourism information centers, hotels, ecotourism.
Various ways of development of alternative economic spheres and their constituents are increasingly becoming the targets of stormy debates in the socio-economic circles. One such alternative is tourism, which with the right approach to its development should become another locomotive for infrastructural development of the economy. Today tourism is dynamic and global sphere in the world economy.
In economically developed countries, tourism is the main source of currency earnings and one of the main accesses to the world stage, which increases the level of economic development of the country and well-being of citizens.
At present, world tourism feels revival, and currently the global tourism revenues have increased by 4.5% and this is a good prerequisite for the tourism industry to prepare our country for more intensive development.
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According to data, provided in the latest issue of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, in 2015, the number of international tourist arrivals increased by 4.4% and totaled 1 184 million people (The UNWTO World Tourism Barometer URL: http://mkt.unwto. org/barometer) [1], while this figure amounted to 1 138 million people in 2014. This suggests that, in 2015 approximately 50 million more tourists (overnight travelers) traveled in travel destinations around the world.
In 2015, international tourism reached new heights. Efficient operations of the sector contributes to economic development and job creation in many parts of the world. Therefore, it is essential that countries have encouraged policies that promote sustained growth of tourism, including travel facilitation, human resource development and sustainability.
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1995r. 1997r. 1999r. 2001r. 2003r. 2005r. 2007r. 2009r. 2011r. 2012r. 2013r. 2014r. 2015r. Figure 1. Dynamics of the tourist arrivals in the world during the period of 1995-2015 (million people)
Tourism is one of the fast growing and high income-generating industries in the world, which contributes to the strengthening of international socio-economic, cultural and spiritual relationships.
In recent years, tourism turns into major export industry of the world economy, the share of global GDP of which amounts to an average of 11%. For the past 40 years, the number of tourists who went to other States has increased almost 20 times, and income from tour-
ism-60 times, revenues from international tourism account for more than 400 billion dollars. The tourism industry employs 192 million people that is 8% of the population in the world. International tourism contributes to diversification ofthe economy, creating industries, serving tourism ("Development of tourism in Uzbekistan: problems, international cooperation, perspectives", Scientific project "Evolution of national statehood of Uzbekistan", www.uzstathood.uz) [2].
Socio-cultural parameters of the "sport" phenomenon: to the question on definition of term
According to experts, the major factors, influencing annual growth in the number of tourists, is the development of transport, communications, growing mobility, urbanization, reduction of working time, as well as increase of social wealth.
Leaders of the world tourism industry have prepared the hottest destinations for tourists for 2017 for publication of the "Financial Times". Uzbekistan is in the second place after Nepal in this list ("Where to go in 2017?" Financial times, December 27, 2016, www.ft.com) [3].
According to the newspaper, Uzbekistan is the ideal place for those who cannot afford long travels around the Silk Road. The country provides opportunity to familiarize with all the charms of such travel, including mosques, mausoleums, mosaic and minarets of the in the ancient cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva.
As one of the most ancient centers of world civilization, Uzbekistan has the greatest tourist potential in the region. More than 7000 historical and architectural sites, carefully saved invaluable spiritual heritage, ancient cities-Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Shakhrisabz, included in the UNESCO world heritage list, annually attract about two million foreign guests from 70 countries of the world in our country.
Since gaining independence, fundamentally new principles of State policy in the sphere of tourism have been developed in the Republic.
Important step in this direction was establishment of the national company "Uzbektourism" according to the Decree of the Presidential ofthe Republic ofUzbekistan in 1992, which was responsible for formation of a national model for tourism development. The newly created company was entrusted with tasks such as coordinating tourist organizations, training in this area, stimulating development of all kinds of tourism, encouraging investment in the creation of material and technical base and industry infrastructure, etc.
With the aim of creating a modern, highly effective and competitive tourist complex in the country, during the years of independence, a solid regulatory framework was formed in the Republic, based on the law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On tourism", adopted in August 20, 1999.
Main directions of the programmes are infrastructure development, including attracting investments, diversification of tourism
Despite some growth in the country in this area, which started from a low level, this potential has to be translated into reality yet; therewith, many problems constrain significant growth in the tourism sector that prevent the country from achieving great international success in this sphere, such as lack of financial resources; outdated regulatory framework; not well-developed infrastructure; monotonous tour product and low diversification; barriers to obtaining entry visa by foreigners etc.
Accordingly, in order to create favorable economic and legal conditions for intensive development of tourism as a strategic sector
products, intensification of activities to attract foreign visitors, improvement of infrastructure facilities for foreign visitors, training and proficiency enhancement of the professionals.
Significant milestone in the annals of domestic tourism was the entry of Uzbekistan in the UN World Tourism Organization (UN-WTO) in 1993. For many years, Uzbekistan has been a member of the Executive Board of this authoritative international organization. Today it consists of above 150 countries.
Uzbekistan has great potential in this area, has great opportunities because of the number and variety of tourism resources, compared to other countries: including convenient node location in the transport- geographic area, unique geography and natural attractions, there are 37 caves on the territory of the Republic. Bioclimatic conditions allow tourists to be engaged actively in wellness and sports tourism, especially in winter. Historical and cultural heritage of Uzbekistan, which reflects long history of the region, associated primarily with the history of the Great Silk Road (Fergana Valley-Tashkent-Samarkand-Bukhara-Urgench-Khiva) is one of the main factors of the country attractiveness.
Uzbekistan is ranked ninth in the world by number of historical and architectural monuments. The above gives reason to conclude that Uzbekistan has great potential for development of tourism
At the same time, the results of the analysis show that appropriate attention and necessary support are not rendered, especially financial, for development of tourism infrastructure; overcoming institutional, managerial and human resource problems in the industry was a formality. The situation in the case pointed to absence of interagency coordination in this area at the appropriate level.
Not coherent policy in this area also negatively reflected in hospitality management, to one extent or another.
Experts estimate that revenues from international tourism in Uzbekistan in recent years accounted for no more than 10% of the potential. Despite having potential, income from tourism in Uzbekistan does not exceed 2 per cent of GDP, whereas in other countries (Spain, the United States, France, Egypt, Malaysia, the U. A.E.) tourism revenues range from 10 to 45% of GDP. Such contrast in earning capacity in tourist industry raises questions about causes and makes find solution to this problem. (Table 1).
of the economy of Uzbekistan, the most complete and effective use of the vast tourism potential of regions, radical improvement of the tourism industry management, creation of national tourist product and its promotion to world markets, formation of positive image of Uzbekistan in the sphere of tourism, as well as for sustainable and balanced development of tourism activity, creating necessary material and technical base, security of life and health of foreign tourists and citizens of the Republic, development of equitable economic cooperation with foreign countries Decrees of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan from 02.12.2016 №DP-4861 and
Table 1. - Comparative analysis of selected indicators of the world by the tourism industry (million people); (Based on the official of materials prepared by the author)
Name of country The share of tourism in GDP Number of attendance in 2015 Responsible state agency
France 7% 84,5 Tourism Development Agency
USA 3% 80 absent
Malaysia 14,9% 25,7 Ministry of tourism
Turkey 4,5% 36,24 Ministry of tourism
India 6% 8 Ministry of tourism
Uzbekistan 1,8% 2 The State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the development of tourism
from 22.12.2016 №DP-4895 gave new impulse to development of tourism in the country.
In particular, the Decrees of the President adopted the following changes and innovation in the tourism sector of Uzbekistan:
a) targets and priorities of State policy in sphere of tourism in the medium term perspective are identified;
b) the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the development of tourism was established on the basis of abrogated national company "Uzbektourism";
c) the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan is entrusted with development of the concept of tourist industry development in the Republic of Uzbekistan for the medium term perspective as well as programme of specific measures to implement the concept in 2017-2021;
d) changes are made in licensing procedure for the right of realization of tourist activities and certification of tourist services;
e) Since January 1, 2021, visa regime will be cancelled for citizens of 15 leading countries in Europe, America and Asia, arriving to the Republic of Uzbekistan with tourist purposes for the period not exceeding 30 days, as well as for the citizens of 12 countries, 55 years of age, and entering the Republic of Uzbekistan in tourist purposes for the period not exceeding 30 days, etc.
Experience of tourism management in developed countries (the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Austria, and Spain) shows high efficiency of tourism industry development with clear definition of the functions of Government in this area.
Study of international experience shows that, in countries with a developed tourism industry, such as France, Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Japan, functions of public administration, tourism industry and control functions ofbusiness are distinguished clearly in public administration of tourism. That is why creation of the public body-the State Committee of Republic of Uzbekistan on the development of tourism is the most important step towards further development of tourism.
At the next stage ofdevelopment, activities, related to creation of new opportunities, as well as cardinal revision of existing systems in the tourism industry, in our view, should include the following:
1. Tourist rating is associated directly with attracting investments in this industry. The development of tourism in the country could increase investments, flow of currency through increase in exports of services, create jobs, improve the level of service. In our view, the State Committee for tourism development at this stage of development should pay attention to the development and monitoring of the implementation of national and regional programmes for integrated tourism development, accelerated development of the wide range of tourism, attracting foreign investments, and also loans and grants from international financial institutions and other organizations in the development of tourist infrastructure.
When designing the Programme of concrete measures for implementation of the concept of tourism development in Uzbekistan in 2017-2021 by the Government, it is advisable to foresee extensive use of the newly established extra-budgetary fund to support the tourism sphere under the Committee.
2. Active study of underutilized opportunities but with a solid foundation for the wide dissemination in Uzbekistan of the types of tourism such as medical tourism, rural tourism, pilgrimage and religious tourism, eco-tourism, gastronomy and wine tourism, tourism for pensioners should be the main goal of the ongoing scientific studies on the development of tourism in Uzbekistan.
3. Funds, allocated by extra-budgetary fund, and attracted investments should be used for all sorts of tourist publicity
campaigns, for maintenance of tourism information centers, improvement of infrastructures of historical heritages and ski resorts, investing in airlines or corporate development of tourism in Uzbekistan.
4. Another important area, requiring special attention in the development of tourism in Uzbekistan, is the ICT industry. Today we cannot imagine any sphere of activity without modern technology. In terms of informatization and computerization, development of tourist activities in Uzbekistan requires new approach to information processing.
In order to ensure efficient operation of any modern tourist enterprises it is necessary to implement modern ICT and software. Process of ICT development and modernization in tourism improves quality of tourism services, which leads to increase in the number of foreign tourists and promotes great awareness of the tourist potential of the country.
Today more than dozen programs of travel agencies automation are presented at the tourist market of Uzbekistan ("1 C-Canvas: travel agency", "InTourOffice", "Master-tour", "SAMO-tour", etc.). Speaking about ICT use in tourism, we cannot fail mentioning reservation systems in hotels and transport. Almost all Uzbekistan Hotels use them. However, there is no unified system in the Republic (ICT as a factor in the development of tourism in Uzbekistan, magazine "infoCOM.UZ", November, 19, 2016) [5].
Therefore, it should be noted that, thanks to the skilful attraction of standard and software, many processes in tourism have already been modified; information technology and electronic data interchange have been implemented in them. A survey of tourists, arrived in Uzbekistan, showed that many of them learned about the country and decided to visit it, to book hotel reservations based on data from the Internet.
Currently, a great deal has been accomplished, but much more remains to be done to bring the tourism industry on a more promising development level based on strong expertise and knowledge on the effective use of information and communication technologies. In this context, establishment of Republican tourist portal, bringing together all tourist organizations into a single virtual information space based on the State Committee for tourism development, is actual.
5. Tourism infrastructure in Uzbekistan also requires comprehensive improvement and raising up to international standards. Tourist package is formed from the basic, additional and related travel services. In this case, experience of forming tourist packages shows certain shortcomings.
In this connection, it is necessary to focus on the international component of tourism, to develop a set ofmeasures for compliance of tourist infrastructure with all international requirements in the field of tourism. It is advisable to take an inventory of objects of tourism infrastructure and develop a division into categories based on level of service in line with international standards.
6. Development of inner tourism. Stimulation of domestic tourism, activity of tour operators, working in the field of domestic tourism, as well as development and implementation of tourist and excursion activities in the education system.
7. When working out strategy of tourism development, it is necessary to take into account the most important features of Uzbekistan with special emphasis on the development of a large number of related tourism services. Within tourism diversification it is necessary to carry out work, aimed at the development of such services as sports (sailing, golf, mountaineering etc.), wellness (thermal water, surgery, physiotherapy, etc.), revival of national values and
Development perspectives of ecological management in Uzbekistan
national applied art, etc. To use positive experience of developed dissemination of mythical stories and interesting stories, related to tourism countries (Turkey, Algeria, Egypt) in composing and wide places of pilgrimage
References:
1. The UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, URL: http://mkt.unwto.org/barometer.
2. "Development of tourism in Uzbekistan: problems, international cooperation, perspectives", Scientific project "Evolution of national statehood of Uzbekistan", URL: http://www.uzstathood.uz.
3. Where to go in - 2017?, Financial times, - December 27, - 2016, URL: http://www.ft.com.
4. Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On tourism", National database of legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan, URL: http://lex. uz/index.aspx; The Wall Street Journal, USA; IIA "Russia today", - March 29, - 2016, "The number of foreign tourists visiting Turkey dropped more than 10%", Turner R. Travel & Tourism. Economic impact. - Malaysia. - L., - 2015.
5. ICT as a factor in the development of tourism in Uzbekistan, magazine "infoCOM.UZ", - November 19, - 2016.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.20534/ESR-17-1.2-267-271
Nosirov Ilkhom Abbosovich, (PhD) Tashkent Economy University, Tashkent city, Uzbekistan E-mail: [email protected]
Development perspectives of ecological management in Uzbekistan
Abstract: Ecological management is to make use of nature in socio-economic affairs and make a good science-based choice in environmental protection regulations, and especially, it comprises the management of ecological socio-economic affairs. From this point of view, it is closely related to production and, therefore, has a part in all phases of the process of socioeconomic repeated production. Moreover, it is considered ecological and ecologic-anthropogenic system. Here, the regulations of ecological and economic affairs are directed towards the preserving the objects of nature (ecosystems), improving, restoring and making an effective use of them. Furthermore, it aims at preserving the environment for future as well as current generations. Examining the mutual effects of ecological management with local, national and international problems serves as the scientific object of our article.
Keywords: ecological and economic environment, ecological management, ecological safety, ecological right, biological diversity, ecological regression, national economy, flora and fauna, ecological markets.
Introduction
Modernization of economy and making structural changes based on reforms requires utilizing the country's natural and economic possibilities prudently as well as the consideration and regulation of the environment. During the Independence years in Uzbekistan some measures were taken on this issues, which became an inseparable integral part of reforming national economy. Paying attention to this process, the first President of our country Islom Karimov stated: "... fundamental changes to approaches and principles of management system made a major contribution in disposing of conservative views and in supplying for its obtaining a real marketing features" [1].
In this process relying on management, making use of principles of it is one of the essential categories for the branches of economy. Management teaches the secret of leadership skill and the art of leadership, the secrets of economic running household, means and methods, managing principles employed in increasing the effectiveness of a company, forms of effective work. In our republic carrying out effective economic reforms creates a need for closely approaching to preparation of flexible modern managers who are eager for news.
Basing the methods of decreasing the ecological danger to minimum, economizing the resources, improving the ecological safety of the production and consumption processes, ecological management allows to carry out the following: a) determining the expenses
of companies, firms, small business, businessmen' companies and occupying new ecological markets, increasing the competitiveness;
b) raising the quality of the protection of environment and nature taking into account the benefit of the current and future generations;
c) preserving the biological diversity in nature and protecting the natural resources".
Analysis of literature
The matters of economic evaluation and of making an effective use of natural resources, some aspects of providing the socioeconomic development by sticking to the principles of ecological management were approached by contemporary authors like Ab-alkin, L., Averchinkov, A., Aganbagyan, A., Agapov, N., Akhimova, T., Anisimov, A., Babayeva, E., Balaski, O., Boboshko, V., Bobilev, S., Borgayakov, S., Bocharov, V., Vernadski, V., Voronsov, A., Vivares, A., Glasbrenner, G., Golub, A., Danilov, V., Lukyanchikov, N [2]. Uzbek scientists like Eshmukhamedov, A., Sakharov, G., Abduganiyev, A., Salimov, B., Murodov, Ch., Choriyev, K., Kodirov, A., Khakimov, R., Otakulov M., Yusupov, M [3].
The rise of attention to the international cooperation in the protection of nature, renewable and non-renewable resources, in the contamination of nature whilst using of land, water, climate. Mineral and biological resources (flora and fauna) and also in the occupying the natural resources by human. Because, nature supplies the society with raw materials, energy and aesthetic wealth, and also informs with the principles of development, construction and formation.
