On April 23, the first Destination Karakalpakstan 2026 forum was held in the city of Nukus, aimed at promoting the tourism potential of Uzbekistan, including the Republic of Karakalpakstan, on the international stage, according to the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan.
The forum was organized by the Tourism Committee in cooperation with the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and the Turkish Airlines — with the goal of broadly promoting the country’s rich historical and cultural heritage, unique natural sites, and investment opportunities.
As part of the forum, presentations were organized with the participation of international and local experts, focusing on the tourism potential of the country and, in particular, Karakalpakstan. B2B meetings with foreign tour operators were held, along with an exhibition of national crafts and masterclasses. Participants discussed key issues related to the development of regional tourism infrastructure, the creation of new tourism products, and entry into the international tourism market.
The event, organized to position Uzbekistan as one of the promising tourist destinations in Central Asia, create new travel packages, and expand international cooperation, is expected to contribute to an increase in the flow of foreign tourists to the region, attract investment, and create new opportunities for local businesses.
In addition, as part of the forum, a large-scale info tour was organized from April 17 to 22, covering the city of Tashkent, the Khorezm region, and the Republic of Karakalpakstan. Leading tour operators from more than 20 countries in Europe and Asia participated, including France, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, Belgium, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, and China.
Participants of the info tour explored historical monuments, cultural heritage, natural attractions, and tourism infrastructure of the regions, as well as examined opportunities for developing new tourism routes and packages.
B2B meetings were organized with the participation of local tourism companies, hotels, transport and service organizations, as well as foreign tour operators and investors. During these meetings, participants discussed promising areas of cooperation, negotiated the development of new tourism packages, joint projects, and strengthening the position of Karakalpakstan in the international tourism market.
