TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN UZBEKISTAN

Since the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991 the former Soviet repub lics have been coming to terms with new found independence and,vith op eration in a market economy. Against this background many of them have been encouraging the development of tourism, The article examines the development of tourism in Uzbekistan. It outlines the key changes sin ce independence in 1991, it identifies the main characteristics of tou rism and it identifies and comments on potential strengths and weaknes ses of tourism in Uzbekistan as it seeks to re-establish its links wit h the global tourism markets. It suggests that the transformation of t ourism still has a long way to go but that quality of the attractions and the the services provide a basis for optimism. (C) 1997 Elsevier S cience Ltd.