Korea Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Tourism (KOPIST) has hosted the 2024 KOPIST High-Level Tourism Policy Forum in Busan, South Korea.
A Tajik delegation led by the deputy head of the Tourism Development Committee under the Government of Tajikistan, Ziyadullo Salimzoda, has participated in this two-day conference.
Tajikistan’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Kirom Salohuddin has also attended this event, which was organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea.
Representatives of all five countries of the Central Asian region have participated in the forum, which was reportedly aimed at increasing the level of knowledge and skills of tourism topics in terms of development, design and preparation of projects in the field of tourism.
Besides, detailed information was provided to study the experience of Korea in the field of tourism and attraction of investment in this sector.
In addition, as part of the educational program the delegations have reportedly learned to develop an action plan in the field of tourism.
In a statement delivered at the forum, Mr. Salimzoda noted that Tajikistan has all necessary opportunities for development of tourism sector through creating favorable legal conditions, simplifying visa requirements, providing benefits to domestic and foreign entrepreneurs, reducing taxation in tourism and relevant industries, expanding cooperation with foreign countries.
Tourism is considered one of the sectors, which are hoped to promote further development of the national economy. However, tourism receipts-to-GDP ratio still remains very low.
Tajikistan’s rich cultural heritage, hospitality and abundance of mountain snow peaks, rivers, lakes and recreational opportunities contribute to the development of country’s tourism industry. In 2018, Tajik Government announced a year of tourism development. The tourism sector is considered a priority for the development of Tajikistan’s economy. At the same time, undeveloped infrastructure and low levels of quality of services delay the growth of the tourism industry.
