On April 3, 2026, the official opening ceremony of the “Silk Road Tourism” thematic office was held at the International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage “Silk Road.”
The event was attended by the Secretary-General of UN Tourism, Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais; the Chairman of the Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan, A. Akkulov; representatives of the United Nations Office in Uzbekistan; as well as international tourism experts and members of the regional public.
It was noted that the thematic office will serve as an important platform for the development of tourism along the Silk Road, the preservation of cultural heritage, and the implementation of innovative tourism projects.
Participants of the event were introduced to the activities of the thematic office and the Tourism Academy. The guests were also presented with the work carried out by the university’s faculty members and students within various laboratories.
During the visit, the Secretary-General of UN Tourism, Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais, held an open and constructive dialogue with students and faculty members of the university.
As part of the visit, the Secretary-General and the Chairman of the Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan, A. Akkulov, awarded international certificates to 20 graduates who successfully completed the “Hospitality Management” program of the International Tourism Academy at the university’s main hall.
The meeting was formally opened by the Rector of the university, Muhsinjon Kholmukhamedov, who, in his welcoming speech, congratulated the distinguished guests on their visit to Samarkand and the university.
Particular attention during the meeting was given to the Secretary-General’s open dialogue with students, which focused on proposals and initiatives aimed at further advancing the tourism sector.
At the conclusion of the events, the guests visited the traditional paper production enterprise in Konigil village, the Imam al-Bukhari complex, and explored the historical landmarks and cultural heritage sites of Samarkand.
