Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The capital of the Kingdom of Bahrain hosted the international tourism forum “Uzbekistan – Bahrain,” organized by the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan with support from the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Saudi Arabia, which is accredited to Bahrain.

The event marked a significant milestone in advancing bilateral partnerships and promoting Uzbekistan’s tourism potential in the Gulf region.

The forum brought together representatives of government agencies, leading travel companies, airlines, chambers of commerce, and business communities from both countries. Opening remarks were delivered by Chairman of the Tourism Committee Umid Shadiev, Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Bahrain (based in Riyadh) Nodirjon Turgunov, and Bahrain’s Minister of Tourism Fatima Jaafar Al-Sairafi.

Speakers highlighted the importance of systematic cooperation and affirmed their mutual interest in deepening bilateral ties.

A key feature of the forum was the presentation titled “Uzbekistan — The Pearl of the Silk Road,” which offered an in-depth look at the country’s historical and cultural heritage, tourist routes, UNESCO sites, and offerings in pilgrimage, medical, gastronomic, and ecological tourism.

Particular emphasis was placed on wide-ranging reforms and infrastructure projects being implemented under the tourism development strategy led by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Business-to-business (B2B) and government-to-business (G2B) meetings held during the forum facilitated direct engagement between tourism sector stakeholders from both countries. Discussions covered the development of joint tour packages and the organization of familiarization trips for Bahraini tour operators and media representatives.

Guests of the event also had the opportunity to explore the photo exhibition “New Uzbekistan,” showcasing the country’s rich cultural heritage, national cuisine, traditions, handicrafts, and modern tourism infrastructure.

The “Uzbekistan – Bahrain” forum served as a strong testament to Bahrain’s growing interest in Uzbekistan, bolstered the country’s international image, and opened new avenues for mutually beneficial cooperation in the tourism sector.