A historic decision was made in Baku: Khiva – the tourism capital of the Islamic world in 2024!

Within the framework of the XI session of the organization of Islamic Cooperation, it was decided for the first time to declare one of the cities of Uzbekistan – Khiva, the “Tourism capital of the Islamic world” in 2024.

The organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) recognized many reforms carried out by the president of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev in the field of tourism, such as simplification of the visa regime, preservation of cultural heritage, improvement of historical cities as the main factors of victory.

“Within the framework of the Year of the Capital of Tourism of the Islamic World, a high-level meeting of ministers of tourism and heads of tourism administrations of 57 OIC member countries, scientific conferences, practical seminars, photo exhibitions, art expositions revealing the potential of tourism in the Republic of Uzbekistan will be organized and held in Khiva. On the basis of the Silk Road International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage, founded on the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2018, a number of events will be held to promote the disclosure and expansion of opportunities in the field of science and education with the participation of scientists and researchers from the OIC member countries," said the head of the delegation of Uzbekistan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Heritage Aziz Abdukhakimov.

The nomination of the tourism capital of the Islamic world is made by the candidate of cities from 5 states, These are:

Abu Dhabi (UAE);
Sanliurfa (Turkiye);
Laos (Nigeria);
Dushanbe (Tajikistan);
Khiva (Uzbekistan).
In the last year, there was a fierce struggle for victory in the nomination among these cities. Nevertheless, as a result of the efforts of Uzbekistan in this direction, Khiva decided to obtain the status of the “tourism capital of the Islamic world”.