SCO Secretariat official attends Central Asian regional conference of World Tourism Cities Federation

On 26 November 2019, the Central Asian regional conference of the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) involving the SCO Secretariat opened in Samarkand city in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Deputy SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Akkoshkarov who was attending the event read out a message of greetings from SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov to those taking part in the 2019 Central Asian regional conference. The message noted the symbolic nature of holding the first WTCF Central Asian regional conference in Samarkand, which is regarded as the oldest and most beautiful city in the world; it is rightfully considered an open-air museum.

"Central Asia is geographically located in the middle of the region of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and is the Organisation's nucleus and a high-priority aspect of its activities. This region also remains on the crossroads of civilisations, cultures and strategically important transit routes. Regional countries are worthy successors of great ancient states and nations that enriched the unique knowledge of the world in the field of mathematics, astronomy, medicine, philosophy and art," the Secretary-General's message noted in part.

Vladimir Norov also mentioned in his message that 143 SCO landmarks were currently among UNESCO's World Heritage Sites, which effectively facilitates developing tourism, and the SCO member states are trying hard to increase their number. "Our region, which accounts for 44 percent of the world's population and stretches out from the Arctic to the Indian Ocean and from Shanghai to Kaliningrad, has a tremendous tourism potential. Expanding equitable and mutually beneficial cooperation in the sphere of tourism ranks among the top priorities of the SCO. Under the SCO Development Strategy until 2025, efforts to increase mutual tourism flows and to improve the quality of tourism services are the main task of the tourism industry," the message pointed out.

Under the Joint Action Plan of the 2019-2020 SCO Tourism Cooperation Development Programme, passed at the SCO Summit in Qingdao in June 2018, the SCO member states strive to streamline the infrastructure and the quality of tourism services, to attract investment and to introduce modern information technologies in the tourism industry.

In an effort to expand tourism and inter-cultural ties in the SCO region and beyond, the Organisation has cooperated and continues to closely cooperate with UNESCO, the World Tourism Organisation and the World Tourism Cities Federation, which has facilitated the development of tourism in the vast Eurasian region.

"Large-scale work is underway to expand and streamline transit routes and to simplify visa regulations between the SCO member states, to encourage youth tourism, to establish and promote transborder and inter-regional tourist routes, including those in states along the Great Silk Road," Vladimir Norov's message read in part.

Those taking part in the event also noted that President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev had suggested establishing a good tradition and annually proclaiming a city of a country presiding in the SCO as the SCO tourism and cultural capital.

In turn, the SCO Secretariat has initiated the Eight SCO Wonders project, supported by all SCO member states. Participants at the SCO Summit in Bishkek praised the project that was also highlighted in the Joint Communique of the SCO Heads of Government Council in Tashkent. The project has been suggested for the implementation of the Joint Action Plan of the SCO Tourism Cooperation Development Programme. It aims to create a joint tourist route via all SCO member states. In 2019 Beijing hosted a presentation of the Eight SCO Wonders project. Similar presentations were held during the International Tourism Forum in Dushanbe, the 8th Summit of the World Tourism Cities Federation in Helsinki and the International Cultural Forum in St Petersburg. Residents of many Chinese cities also gained an insight into the project.

Representatives from leading Chinese tourism agencies such as QYER (Beijing) Company Limited, Utour, Caissa, as well as a number of Chinese investment companies, such as Tourism Capital, Palm Investment Co. Ltd, Shougang Concord International Enterprises Co. Ltd and plenty of others, attended the conference.