September-October . 2024

The Ambassador of Uzbekistan in Malaysia , Karomidin Gadoev , explained his country had preserved many Islamic architectural monuments , with around 3,500 tourist sites directly related to Islam , including 784 Islamic shrines .

“ Islamic heritage and tourism play an important role in dynamically developing our country ’ s economy . In New Uzbekistan , the tourism sector is developing very quickly . It is becoming one of the strategically important areas of our country ’ s economy ,” said Gadoev .

“ Thanks to the development of tourism , in particular , Ziyarah tourism , we can attract a huge number of tourists interested in religious tourism .”

He highlighted Uzbekistan ’ s rich spiritual heritage , citing the global influence of scholars like Imam al-Bukhari , Muhammad Musa Khorezmi and Ahmad al-Farghani and the importance of promoting their legacies .

“ A number of cultural events are held within the framework of the Imam al-Bukhari International Hadith Competition and the ‘ Islamic Calligraphy ’ competitions . Also , the ‘ Week of International Ziyarah Tourism ’ is

Karomidin Gadoev organised annually in Bukhara .”

EXPERIENCES OFFERED BY UZBEKISTAN

Gadoev proudly shared that Bukhara recently won the Islamic Heritage Destination of The Year award at the Halal in Travel Awards Global Summit 2024 , a similar recognition received by Samarkand in 2023 .

He said travel companies in Uzbekistan were offering a variety of tourism programmes and packages that highlighted the historical and tourist centres , encompassing cultural tourism , pilgrimage tourism , Umra +, gastrotourism , business tourism ( MICE ), and winter tourism .

Tourism packages also include trips to the picturesque and unique locations in the Ferghana Valley , the mountains of the Tashkent region , Zaamin , Kashkadarya , and the natural attractions of the Navoi region and the Republic of Karakalpakstan .

“ Uzbekistan took first place in the ranking of the safest countries in the world ‘ Safety Perceptions Index 2023 ’, which included 121 countries . It is significant in attracting more tourists to our country .”

Looking ahead , Uzbekistan aims to develop its tourism sector

“ Islamic heritage and tourism play an important role in dynamically developing our country ’ s economy . In New Uzbekistan , the tourism sector is developing very quickly . It is becoming one of the strategically important areas of our country ’ s economy .”

BALANCING HERITAGE PRESERVATION AND MODERN INFRASTRUCTURE

• Cities like Bukhara , Samarkand , and Khiva are renowned for their Islamic shrines , while Tashkent and Samarqand offer a blend of historical significance and contemporary amenities .

• In Tashkent , attractions such as Tashkent City , Magic City , and Aquapark have become popular tourist destinations . In 2021 , the Amirsoy Resort in the Tashkent region opened , offering a winter sports experience across 900 + hectares in the picturesque Tian Shan Mountains .

• Samarkand is emerging as the “ New Tourism Gate of New Uzbekistan ,” blending ancient history with modern facilities . The government launched a new terminal at Samarkand International Airport in 2022 , designed to resemble an open book inspired by the mediaeval Uzbek astronomer Mirzo Ulugbek . The same year , Samarkand also saw the inauguration of the Silk Road Samarkand , Central Asia ’ s largest modern international tourist complex , featuring eight world-class hotels , a congress centre , and the “ Eternal City ” ethnographical park . further by adopting strategic plans and legislative measures . Ambassador Gadoev highlighted the “ Concept of Tourism Development in Uzbekistan ( 2019-2025 )” as a roadmap for transforming tourism into a key economic driver .

“ Based on the potential of our country in the field of tourism , a total of 11 million foreign tourists are forecasted to visit Uzbekistan in 2024 ,” he concluded .

SYNERGY BETWEEN TWO SECTORS

To foster more significant economic growth and opportunities between Islamic finance and the Muslim-friendly travel sector , Vejzagic suggested several synergies , such as :

• Islamic banks and Muslim-friendly tourism should initiate cooperation , collaboration , and working together to build links and matches that strengthen , mutually benefit and mutually support each other .

• Interrelating the role of Islamic bank stakeholders and Muslim-friendly tourism stakeholders through businesses , communities , governments , media channels , etc .

• Improving access , communication , environmental , and service infrastructure .

• Intensifying education and literacy of the halal industry , with a focus on Muslimfriendly tourism - seminars , workshops , bazaars , and exhibitions .

• Enhancing innovation and technology . Digital innovation will change existing

Mirza Vejzagic business activities . Adapting innovative technologies will create a new offer for existing customers , creating better relationships and loyalty .

• Developing clusters for the halal industry in order to utilise and positively impact the emergence of other halal industries .

ISLAMIC FINTECH AND TOURISM COLLABORATION

Vejzagic highlighted several successful collaborations between Islamic finance and Muslim-friendly tourism .

“ For instance , in a bid to provide convenient , digital , and Shariah-compliant financing for Muslims embarking on their Umrah pilgrimage , Hong Leong Islamic Bank Malaysia has signed in January a partnership with Andalusia Travel & Tours . In this partnership , the Bank complements Andalusia ’ s trusted Umrah packages with its comprehensive suite of personal Islamic banking products . This collaboration means that Muslims planning their Umrah pilgrimage can finance their travels following Shariah principles by utilising Hong Leong Islamic Bank finance offerings , specifically catering to various lifestyle needs , equipping Muslims with specific , digital , and personalised financial solutions .

“ Another good example would be Bosna Bank International ( BBI ), an Islamic bank in Bosnia , which worked together with USAID Developing Sustainable Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina in positioning Bosnia and Herzegovina as a competitive destination on the global market by helping in the education of human capital in the tourism sector , improving access to finance for tourism businesses , developing innovative tourist products , as well as destination branding and promotion .”

MUSLIM-FRIENDLY TOURISM OPPORTUNITIES

Looking to the future , Vejzagic saw significant opportunities in the Muslim-friendly tourism sector through Islamic finance .

“ The contributions of Islamic financial institutions to Muslim-friendly tourism have yet to be fully realised , and it is far from optimum . Mainly , it is related to the financing of products and their participation in annual tourism activities . Furthermore , the current position is primarily tied to the financing of micro , small , and medium-sized firms associated with the tourism industry rather than the actual tourism industry . Therefore , extraordinary cooperation between governments , Islamic financial institutions , and business players must be implemented .

“ One of the initiatives would be holistic partnership projects between the above-mentioned stakeholders that could contribute to better facilities . For instance , government and Islamic banks , through public-private partnerships , could finance large Muslimfriendly hotels and resorts . In addition , Muslim-friendly airlines could be introduced to facilitate the growing number of those seeking a fully integrated Muslim-friendly tourism ecosystem .” – RnR