Speech by Mr. Rustam Kholmatiyon, First Vice-Chairman of the Tourism Development Committee, Tajikistan

Dear Chairman Wei Xiaodong, Vice Minister Gao Zheng, Vice Mayor Sima Hong, and Secretary-General Guo Huaigang,

It is a great honor to attend the World Conference on Tourism Cooperation and Development 2025. Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, is an active member city of the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF). Since its debut at the Los Angeles Summit in 2017 and its official accession to the WTCF, Dushanbe has continuously deepened cooperation with the Federation and actively participated in various international events, including the Fragrant Hills Tourism Summits, regional tourism conferences, and World Conferences on Tourism Cooperation and Development. We have also facilitated linkage between the Tajikistan International Tourism Forum and Central Asian regional conferences, enabling Tajikistan’s tourism industry to exchange and cooperate with numerous tourist cities and institutions within the WTCF family.

Tajikistan boasts abundant natural resources and diverse tourism offerings, including the majestic Pamir Mountains, historic ancient cities, and unique folk cultures, all of which are key attractions for global travelers. Through our cooperation with the WTCF and its member cities, we continuously promote Tajikistan’s tourism brand, attract more international attention and investment, and enhance the country’s presence on the global tourism map.

As a vital platform for global tourism cooperation, the WTCF has not only built a bridge connecting Dushanbe to the world, but also provided valuable opportunities for experience exchange and knowledge sharing among all member cities. Through the global cooperation platform established by the WTCF, we have made full use of its international events, expert think tanks, and global promotion networks to carry out international exchanges and cooperation in key areas such as sustainable development of tourism cities, digital preservation of cultural heritage, and system construction of smart cultural and tourism. By integrating international experience with local innovative practices, we have gained valuable resources.

In the future, we will continue to strengthen strategic cooperation with the WTCF and its member cities, sharing resources, jointly expanding markets and exploring new paths for tourism recovery and growth.