On 8-10 August 2019, Dushanbe hosted the International Tourist Forum and the Tajikistan 2019 Exhibition, with officials from the Secretariat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation taking part in the events.
The official opening ceremony took place on the first day of the exhibition when the potential of the Republic of Tajikistan's tourist companies was highlighted. A presentation featured applied art items, household and decorative objects, as well as handicraft masterpieces, including pictures, ornaments, clothing and national musical instruments. Embassies of foreign states, accredited in Dushanbe, also presented their national decorative and applied art items.
The exhibition hosted the second presentation of the Eight Wonders of the SCO project in Kurushi Kabir Park together with the Company for the Promotion of Culture and Tourism at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The event highlighted eight landmarks included in the Eight Wonders of the SCO list and described them in great detail in Russian, Chinese and English.
SCO Deputy Secretary-General Xie Xiaoyong read out a message of greetings from SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov to the event's participants, thanking the Government of Tajikistan for organising this important event.
"The Republic of Tajikistan has a tremendous tourist potential that can reach out to the entire world. The territory of Tajikistan is famous for its well-known architectural landmarks, remains of ancient sites and settlements, mausoleums and cultural facilities. Its picturesque nature, ecologically clean fruits and vegetables, lakes and rivers flowing from mountainous glaciers are just a fraction of the prospective tourist attractions. It should be noted that the leaders of Tajikistan prioritise expanded cooperation in the area of tourism and improved collaboration between regional countries in this area; they help the peoples of the SCO member states gain an insight into the historical and cultural heritage of our Organisation.
"It should be noted that the SCO attaches great importance to promoting cooperation in the area of tourism and improving collaboration between regional countries in this field. ‘The SCO helps the peoples of the SCO member states learn more about the historical and cultural legacy in the SCO region,' the SCO Secretary-General's message reads in part.
"In an effort to realise the joint action plan for implementing the tourism cooperation programme, the SCO Secretariat initiated the Eight Wonders of the SCO project, which was supported by all SCO member states. It includes one landmark from each of the member countries.
"The project aims to establish a common tourism infrastructure, to expedite cooperation in this sphere and to fulfil the relevant decisions of the SCO summit in Qingdao," the SCO Secretary-General's message notes.
While greeting forum participants, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan Davlatali Said discussed the tourism potential of the country. "Tajikistan is a centre of international mountain tourism and mountain-climbing. The mountains of Tajikistan are an extremely picturesque place with a landscape combining the highest regional mountain ranges, grassy alpine meadows and the cleanest and purest rivers. The nature of Tajikistan remains virtually untouched by civilisation," he said.
In his opinion, Tajikistan's healing waters, medical herbs and health facilities will attract tourists.
"For example, we have approved investment projects to upgrade the local infrastructure and to build hotels and sanatoriums. Tajikistan focuses on the development of ecotourism, cultural tourism and agro-tourism. Tourist operators are exempt from tax on their income, and this is seen as a highly important business incentive," Davlatali Said noted, while discussing government measures to expand the tourist industry.
Peter Janech of the World Tourism Organisation praised the initiative by the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, proclaiming the years 2019-2021 a Period of Rural Development, Tourism and Folk Crafts. Tajikistan is a country boasting rich natural resources, an interesting geography, an ancient history and culture and amazing mountainous landscapes. All this has to be used to expand tourism, he noted.
The forum featured the following panel sessions:
Panel 1: Tourism as an important factor in promoting ties
Panel 2: Ecotourism, trekking, and cultural and historical tourism
Panel 3: Medical, rehabilitation and recreational tourism
Panel 4: Folk crafts development and economic benefits
The event also included a business dialogue in the B2B format, a networking project, and the signing of a memorandum. At the final session, a declaration was adopted.
Over 40 tourism cooperation agreements were signed during the forum.
Participants in the International Forum visited the cities of Gissar and Tursunzoda, Varzob Gorge and the city of Nurek, as well as the Nurek hydroelectric power station and Kohi Navruz Palace, one of the Eight Wonders of the SCO.
It should be noted that Tajikistan has never hosted such large-scale tourist forums before.