Uzbekistan has more than 7,000 hotels and other accommodation facilities with a total capacity of over 185,000 beds. This means that thousands of international visitors receive their first impression of Uzbekistan through these establishments every day. Therefore, one of the country’s key priorities is to showcase its rich cultural heritage, national values, and traditions of Uzbek hospitality through the operations of these more than 7,000 accommodation facilities.
To introduce foreign tourists more broadly to the culture of Uzbekistan, the Tourism Committee has developed a practical methodological guide entitled “Promoting National Culture in Hotels.”
The guide emphasizes that national identity is not limited to decorative elements or interior design—it is a comprehensive experience that guests gain throughout their stay. It outlines five key areas for integrating national cultural elements into the operations of accommodation facilities across the country.
First and foremost, the architecture and interior design of hotels should reflect the distinctive characteristics of their respective regions. The guide recommends harmoniously combining modern design solutions with traditional elements such as ganch plasterwork, wood carving, traditional ceramics, atlas and adras fabrics, while also providing guests with information about their origins and the artisans who created them.
The second key area is national gastronomy. According to the guide, every hotel breakfast should include at least three national dishes or products and one regional specialty. Traditional dishes should be served in accordance with international hospitality standards, with menus providing information about their ingredients and preparation methods. This approach will not only introduce guests to Uzbek cuisine but also contribute to the further development of gastronomic tourism.
Service culture is presented as one of the most vivid expressions of national identity. Genuine hospitality, respectful treatment of guests, adherence to traditional etiquette, and the ability of hotel staff to introduce local products and the history of the region all contribute to creating memorable experiences for visitors. The guide also recommends incorporating modern elements of traditional Uzbek attire into staff uniforms, offering guests traditional Uzbek tea, and informing them about cultural events taking place in the region.
The publication also contains practical recommendations for organizing guest activities. National music evenings, traditional handicraft workshops, exhibitions of decorative and applied arts, photo zones featuring national motifs, and displays of locally produced goods are presented as effective ways of introducing tourists to Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage.
Particular attention is given to highlighting the unique identity of each region of the country. Practical recommendations have been developed for integrating regional cultural brands into hotel operations, including Andijan embroidery and Fergana-style plov in the Andijan Region; Samarkand paper and Samarkand bread in the Samarkand Region; the Lazgi dance and traditional wood carving in the Khorezm Region; and Rishtan ceramics in the Fergana Region.
