Project title
Recommendations for the Implementation of sustainable tourism practices in Uzbekistan: Utilization and Analysis of Sustainable Tourism Development Indicators
Research Unit
Primary investigator
Co investigators
Project period
2019/5/16 ～ 2020/3/31
Project summary
This study provides an overview of tourism trends and the current state of the tourism industry in Uzbekistan. Based on analysis of tourism development case studies in major tourism cities (Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand, and Khiva), the purpose of this study is to establish commitments to the SDGs and provide analysis of issues related to the utilization of sustainable tourism development indicators referring to global examples (GSTC, ETIS).
In regard to regional revitalization through tourism development, the following outcomes have been prioritized: 1) regional disparity correction, 2) poverty alleviation, 3) job creation and empowerment for women and youth, 4) human resource development and capacity development for companies and local residents which have a connection to tourism, 5) environmental issues. To understand current issues in tourism development in major tourist cities (Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand, Hiba) an investigation will be undertaken.
Based on the research findings, the project will provide recommendations and support to the national tourism development committee officers and local government staff in Uzbekistan. This will enable them, as leaders, to promote sustainable solutions for tourism development (including in regional areas) and to make commitments to meeting the SDGs.
Activity reports
Recently, the number of international tourists and the economic benefits for the tourism industry have increased dramatically in Uzbekistan. Consequently, national tourism development committee officers and the local government staff in Uzbekistan faced a series of major issues. The most urgent issue was a shortage of considered, sustainable approaches to tourism development plans and strategies; caused by historical overemphasis on economic benefits. In this research, conducted in Uzbekistan, the interviews and presentations with the national tourism development committee officers, local government staff, and university staff were implemented effectively to explain the holistic approaches related to sustainable tourism development and raise awareness about the importance of sustainability. The one of the outcomes of this research was to visualize the current state of affairs and maximize tourism development opportunities with sustainable approaches. In addition, this research clarified the current state of tourism development in Uzbekistan with daily changes which could not be obtained from existing academic research.
In regard to academic research, tourism research related to Central Asia and Uzbekistan have been overlooked internationally and within Japan. One of the outcomes of the current research was the insight it provided into tourism trends and the current situation in Uzbekistan. Another achievement was the submission of this research in the form of a working paper the contents of which were presented at the Critical Tourism Studies-Asia Pacific International conference. Currently, we are preparing to submit a paper to the Journal of Sustainable Tourism and would like to contribute the results of our research through this journal submission.
