DUSHANBE, March 13, Asia-Plus — Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2007 by the World Economic Forum has ranked Tajikistan 110th among 124 countries in terms of attractiveness of the countries for development of tourism.
Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2007, aiming to explore the factors and policies driving travel and tourism competitiveness in nations worldwide, has been published by the World Economic Forum within the framework of the Global Competitiveness Network and the Industry Partnership Program for Aviation, Travel and Tourism.
The World Economic Forum developed the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI), which is at the core of this Report. The aim of the TTCI, which covers 124 economies, is to provide a comprehensive strategic tool for measuring the factors and policies that make it attractive to develop the travel and tourism sector in different countries. The Report
contains detailed profiles for each of the 124 economies featured in the study, as well as an extensive section of data tables with global rankings covering all of the indicators included in the TTCI.
The TTCI is composed of a number of ‘pillars’ of travel and tourism competitiveness, of which are 13 in all: 1) policy rules and regulations; 2) environmental regulation; 3) safety and security; 4) health and hygiene; 5) prioritization of travel and tourism; 6) air transport infrastructure; 7) ground transport infrastructure; 8) tourism infrastructure; 9) ICT infrastructure 10) price competitiveness in the travel and tourism industry; 11) human resources; 12) national tourism perception and 13) natural and cultural resources.
Switzerland takes the leading position in the TTCI rankings, followed by Austria and Germany. Tajikistan is ranked 110th overall.
In the meantime, Bakhtiyor Hamdamov, the deputy head of the Committee for Youth, Tourism and Sports, said that the committee is taking efforts to improve image of the country. Tajikistan is currently projecting a program for development of its tourism sector.
“A series of events are expected to be held to attract tourists,” Hamdamov said, noting that they are making preparations for holding national tourism exhibition in the northern city of Istaravshan on March 23. More than 10 tourism companies of the country are expected to put on display their achievements in tourism and relevant industries in the exhibition in Istaravshan, Hamdamov said.
According to the committee, some 30 foreign tourists visited Tajikistan last year, which is 15,000 more than in 2005.
