OREANDA-NEWS. February 10, 2011. Over 1.3 million tourists visited Uzbekistan in 2010, out of them 410,500 were organized foreign tourists. The number of foreign tourists who visited Uzbekistan in 2010 increased by 6.9% as compared to 2009.

This is the information provided by Uzbekturizm national company at an extended session dedicated to the results of 2010 that was held on 3 February. The participants of the event - Uzbekturizm experts, representatives of regional subdivisions, tour agencies - were introduced to the results of socioeconomic development of the company in 2010 and foreground priorities of economic program in 2011.

The meeting noted that due to effective implementation of measures on development of tourism sector, the forecasted index of tourism services exports was fulfilled for 123.3% as against 2009.

Presently, 748 enterprises including 241 hotels and 507 tour operators carry out their activity in nonstate sector of tourism services.

New management of Uzbekturizm introduced significant changes to tourism structure. As a result a new mechanism of state-private partnership was launched in this sphere.

Seven committees on modernization of tourism sector and promotion of Uzbekistan as tour route in the world tourism market were formed out of managers of tour companies.

A new expert group of lawyers was established under Uzbekturizm, it started working on preparation of draft law "On tourism and activity in tourism". A huge work is underway in development of roadside infrastructure of tourism, the most perspective lots for dislocation of complex objects of road infrastructure were chosen.

The implementation of new project on creation of National historic archeological park in the territory of Karakalpakstan was started to preserve the unique historic archeological territory of the Republic, foster the study of its historical and cultural heritage, promote the development of domestic and foreign tourism.

Further Uzbekturizm's activity will be aimed at support of small business and private entrepreneurship in the sphere of tourism, development of tourism in regions, attraction of foreign and local investors.

Uzbekturizm's attention is also focused on promotion of national tourism abroad, spreading information about tour potential of the country, improvement of legislative basis in the sphere of tourism to foster further market development.

To be noted, Uzbekturizm was established on 27 July 1992 by the Decree of the President of Uzbekistan to coordinate the activity of tour companies, foster the development of all types of tourism, support staff training, attract foreign investment to creation of material and technical base and infrastructure.

The company is the main coordinating body ensuring the development of single state policy in tourism on the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The company's structure consist of Samarkand, Bukhara, Khorezm regional departments, state bureau for traveling and excursions to regional centers of Uzbekistan, National Scientific Learning Consulting Center, Central Department for Production Control and Servicing, other departments.