The cost of tourism package for Tajikistan will be raised and this can scare already few tourists away.
Now, to hire a police officer for providing security for tourists, tourist companies will pay to the Interior Ministry at the rate of 250.00 somoni per day. Besides, they should provide a police officer with meals and night lodging.
Representative of the Tajik tourist police says they render free services only in the territory of Dushanbe while for providing security for tourists outside the Tajik capital they should pay.
“Tourist companies using services of the tourist police should pay 250.00 somoni per day and provide the hired police officer with night lodging and three meals a day,” he noted.
Manager of Follow Tajikistan tourist company, Ikrom Hotamov, told Asia-Plus that his company had begun collaborating with the tourist police.
In Tajikistan, a tourist police force was reportedly launched several months ago,
By president’s decree the tourist police unit was established at the Interior Ministry environment department. The Tajik tourist police unit performs tasks related to providing security for tourists, protecting tourists’ interests, accompanying tourist groups, and informing travelers.
At the request of foreign tourists, tourist police officers can accompany them during their travels.
Six tourist police units operating across the country now have staff of totaling 68 inspectors.
According to the chief of the Dushanbe tourist police unit, Lieutenant-Colonel Dilafrouz Karimvova, they have provided assistance to 1,100 tourists from various countries of the world so far. “To organize more efficient work we have begun collaborating with more than 40 local tourist companies,” she added.
Meanwhile, following examples set by Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz authorities intend to set up a special police force to provide security for tourists who visit Kyrgyzstan.
According to Radio Liberty, Zamirbek Soltongeldiev, an official in Kyrgyzstan's Interior Ministry, told journalists on August 16 that the “tourist police” will be formed by the end of 2018. Soltongeldiev said positions in the new police unit will be available after structural changes within the police force. He said preference will be given to candidates with knowledge of foreign languages.
Uzbekistan reportedly launched a tourist police force in December last year in a move described by the Uzbek authorities as “a measure to preserve safe tourism in the country.”
