Some 50 foreign companies and more than 60 travel firms from all regions of the country come to the capital to take part in the fair. The guests of honor of the largest in Central Asian tourism forum will be Javier Blanco, director of the affiliate members of World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Dmitry Ilyin, UNWTO program coordinator, as well as about a hundred foreign journalists.

This year’s fair Tourism on the Silk Road-2011 offers its guests a full program combining business and entertainment events, meetings and spectacular presentations of Uzbek tourism potential. The exposition area will be about 2,000 square meters while the total area will be 5,000 square meters.

Tourism in Uzbekistan in all its diversity will be presented in the National Pavilion of Uzbekistan. A festival of the national cuisine, a town of artisans and oriental bazaar will add extra touches in the picturesque scene of the fair. In turn, the exposition of the global tourism market will be located in the International Pavilion.

During the TITF 2011, Uzbekturizm national company and France’s State Secretariat for Trade, Crafts, Small and Medium Enterprises, Tourism, Consumer Services are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding. This document will help further develop and strengthen cooperation in tourism between the countries and increase tourist traffic in both directions.

Realizing the significant role of businesses in the development of tourism in Uzbekistan, the organizers of the TITF will hold a seminar on innovative solutions for the development of the tourism industry. Also, UNWTO representatives will share their experience with local travel companies.

It should be noted that the Tashkent International Tourist Fair, held annually in Uzbekistan since 1995, is included in the list of major international UNWTO events.