BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 11. Mastercard aims to accelerate the development of tourism in Uzbekistan through the development of payment infrastructure for tourists and small businesses in the country, Denis Filippov, Mastercard’s Country Manager in Uzbekistan and Belarus told Trend.
"The establishment of financial accessibility and provision of premium payment services will establish the conditions conducive to a rise in international tourist arrivals in Uzbekistan. Mastercard's commitment to enabling tourists to transact globally in a manner consistent with their domestic practices will contribute significantly to this objective,” he said.
Filippov noted that increase in the tourist flow to Uzbekistan will have a positive impact on society, as the sector has gotten through difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the incomes of people employed in this field fell significantly.
“Digital transformation will accelerate the economic recovery of the industry, and facilitating access to innovation for small and medium-sized businesses will be the key to its rapid development. Due to the global nature of the business, Mastercard has the opportunity to promote Uzbekistan through its programs for cardholders around the world. In different countries, travelers with Mastercard cards receive exclusive benefits that are aimed to make the tourist destinations more attractive,” he explained.
The company representative stressed that, in this regard, Mastercard in currently working on a program of special offers for tourists visiting the Uzbek city of Samarkand.
Meanwhile, in October of 2023, Mastercard and the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan signed a Memorandum announcing the beginning of joint work between Uzbekistan and the Mastercard Center for Tourism Innovations.
Moreover, the first working meeting between Mastercard and the Ministry was already held in November of 2023.
As per data by Uzbekistan’s Tourism Committee, 4.9 million tourists visited Uzbekistan from January through September of 2023. The number of foreign tourists visiting the country in 2022 amounted to 5.23 million.