Etihad Airways signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan covering marketing, promotion and trade initiatives, the airline said on September 17.
Uzbekistan received 9.1mn foreign tourists between January and August, with tourism service exports reaching $4.6bn, as the country works to spread inbound traffic beyond its established Silk Road circuit. The agreement follows Etihad’s first route to the country, a daily non-stop Airbus A320 service between Abu Dhabi and Tashkent launched on August 9, and a codeshare with Uzbekistan Airways effective from May 15 that gives single-ticket access to Samarkand, Bukhara, Urgench, Nukus, Termez, Fergana, Namangan and Andijan.
“Uzbekistan is one of the most exciting new markets in our network, demonstrated by the launch of our daily service to Tashkent this year,” said Antonoaldo Neves, chief executive of Etihad Airways, adding that the network and the codeshare with Uzbekistan Airways make it easier for travellers to reach Samarkand, Bukhara and beyond.
“Our priority is not only to sustain this growth, but also to expand the reach of inbound tourism, improve access to destinations across the country, and strengthen Uzbekistan’s presence in international tourism markets,” said Abdulaziz Akkulov, chairman of the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan.
The agreement was signed at Arabian Travel Market in Dubai by Aysha Saeed Al Kaabi, vice president for commercial enablement at Etihad Airways, and Akkulov.
Akkulov appeared on the ministerial panel at the same event, where he pointed to Uzbekistan’s partnerships with Azerbaijan and UN Tourism and its efforts to position itself as a regional centre for industry cooperation.