Uzbekistan hosts global Silk Road tourism summit to boost regional cooperation
WTA Silk Road Dialogue opens in Samarkand, spotlighting tourism as a tool for development, sustainability, and cross-cultural exchange
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (MNTV) — The ancient city of Samarkand played host this week to the World Tourism Alliance’s (WTA) flagship event, the Silk Road Dialogue, bringing together international stakeholders to reimagine tourism along one of history’s most iconic trade routes.
According to the Dunyo Information Agency, the forum opened on July 3 and is jointly organized by Uzbekistan’s Tourism Committee and the WTA, with support from the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism and several other Uzbek and international partners.
Held under the theme of cross-cultural engagement and sustainable development, the event aims to position tourism as a key driver of economic growth, rural development, and global cooperation — particularly across countries linked by China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
The summit’s agenda features discussions on expanding tourism markets in China and Central Asia, innovative digital marketing strategies, the creation of unique tourism products, and sustainable community-based tourism.
A Joint Roadmap developed by UN Tourism and the WTA is also being presented, outlining plans to empower local communities through inclusive tourism models.
What sets the Silk Road Dialogue apart is its multi-sectoral approach — uniting government agencies, travel companies, NGOs, academics, and media from across the world to reshape the region’s tourism narrative. Organizers see the event as a platform not only for promoting travel but also for deepening humanitarian ties and cultural understanding.
Founded in 2017 in Chengdu, China, the World Tourism Alliance is an international non-governmental organization that promotes tourism as a force for poverty reduction and global cooperation. It currently includes 259 members from 45 countries and operates under the motto: “Better Tourism, Better Life, Better World.”
As Uzbekistan expands its role in the global tourism sector, officials hope that events like the Silk Road Dialogue will help cement the region’s status as a bridge between East and West — not only in trade, but in people-to-people exchange.
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