Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A roundtable dedicated to promoting Uzbekistan’s tourism potential was held in Riga, Latvia, on the initiative of the Tourism Committee under the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan, in cooperation with the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Riga.

The event brought together leaders of Latvia’s leading travel agencies and representatives of companies operating in related sectors of the tourism industry.

During the meeting, participants were introduced to key areas of tourism development in Uzbekistan, including the presidential initiative “Samarkand – the Tourism Gateway to New Uzbekistan.” Latvian attendees showed particular interest in presentations on the historical and cultural heritage of cities such as Bukhara, Tashkent, Khiva, and the broader Khorezm region.

Special attention during the discussion was given to the prospects of Uzbek-Latvian cooperation in the field of tourism. Participants agreed that such dialogue platforms contribute to strengthening friendly ties and deepening humanitarian connections between the two nations.

Latvian experts praised Uzbekistan’s efforts to modernize its tourism infrastructure and create a welcoming environment for international visitors, highlighting the country's openness and hospitality.

A key moment of the event was the formal presentation of a special certificate to Vladimir Koryagin, who was officially designated as the Tourism Brand Ambassador of Uzbekistan in Latvia — a recognition of his contribution to fostering tourism relations between the two countries.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to intensify joint efforts to attract more tourists from the Baltic states, including plans to organize a familiarization tour for travel companies and media representatives in the near future.