Photo: yuz.uz
The Chartak district of Namangan region will be transformed into a year-round tourist hub of the Fergana Valley, with $50 million allocated for the initiative, announced by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, according to his press service.
The president noted that the district’s potential as a tourist destination is underutilized. Basic services such as online information, hotel booking, and cultural-entertainment facilities are poorly developed. The investment aims to improve infrastructure, creating conditions for visitors throughout the year.
In cooperation with the World Bank, the “Furkat” park will be renovated and expanded this year as part of the medium-sized cities development project. Along the Chartaksay River, 11 kilometers of pedestrian and bicycle paths will be built.
Authorities plan to concrete 7 km of the Chartaksay River and the Big Namangan Canal banks and develop 30 hectares of useful space. Large sanatorium and resort facilities will be integrated with existing orchards.
Around the Chartak reservoir, a tourist complex with hotels, restaurants, and recreational zones will be constructed. In Pap district, on 1,200 hectares near Lake Arashan, a large-scale tourism center is planned, capable of receiving up to 1 million visitors annually.
The regional reform headquarters was tasked with developing a master plan for scenic areas of Namangan region. Along rivers and canals in Pap, Turakurgan, Uychi, and Chust, up to 650 service facilities could be built, creating employment for 10,000 people. Long-term implementation of similar projects could generate 50,000 jobs.
The president also emphasized tourism workforce development. Starting next academic year, Namangan State University will launch a specialized faculty in partnership with Austria’s Krems University.
Tourism is already a significant contributor to the regional economy. Since the beginning of the year, Namangan region has received 1.2 million foreign and 2 million domestic tourists, generating over $200 million in revenue.
