Destination report, Uzbekistan
Posted on 04 April 2009 with no comments from readers
The opening up of destinations within a few hours flying time from the UAE has continued with Planet Group’s new regional general service agreement with Uzbekistan.
ArabianMoney.Net joined the media familiarization trip to find out what the most populated country in Central Asia has to offer tourists from the region.
Uzbekistan Airways has four flights a week from the UAE, making this a possible destination for a long weekend for expatriates and nationals.
Regional links
Indeed, many UAE nationals already have homes in Uzbekistan and senior sheikhs go there regularly to hunt. Arabic is quite widely understood, along with English and its Islamic architecture compares favorably to Iran.
This is also a very safe destination for tourists, and the people friendly and hospitable.
Hotel infrastructure is adequate but there are only two five-star hotels in the capital city Tashkent, the Sheraton and InterCon. Most hotels belong to the private sector and are not expensive by GCC standards.
The GCC journalist’s delegation stayed in the Tashkent Palace Hotel, a decent four-star establishment and in government hotels in Samarkand and Bukhara.
Restaurants are numerous and cooking benefits from the abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables in this rich agricultural country. Nightlife is also lively and varied.
Most visitors enjoy the beautifully restored architectural monuments and some notable Islamic treasures. For example, the complex of Hazrati Inman in Tashkent has a seventh century copy of the Holy Koran.
In Samarkand you can see the golden mausoleum of Tamerlane, the 14th century conqueror of Central Asia, as well as a splendid group of Islamic education institutions from the same era (see photo), and an observatory used to calculate the position of stars.
Arabic culture
This history is a reminder of the golden age of Arabic learning with major advances in astronomy and mathematics.
The city of Bukhara is reckoned to be more than 3,200 years old, making it one of the world’s oldest cities and once ranked alongside Rome and Athens. It is just a shame that earthquakes and eleven invasions have destroyed much of this heritage.
What remains is impressive enough, and as you walk along the Old Silk Road through the souks it is as though time has stood still. The mosques and other Islamic architecture are also outstanding.
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Thank you…attached are a few lines from Mr. Ibrahim Nalkhande, Chief Operating Officer – Travel, Planet Group.
Q. As GSA for Uzbekistan Airways in UAE and GSA for Uzbekistan Tourism, what are the angles considered by Planet Group in promoting Uzbekistan in the UAE and GCC.
A. ‘Uzbekistan Airways operates four flights weekly from UAE, this gives ample flexibility to the traveller to work out the length of the journey. Uzbekistan as a destination is very versatile and diversified, we are targeting various segments in the Gulf and UAE, families, honeymoon seekers, history and culture, religious tourism , sports / adventure etc. At the same time there’s a huge potential among the corporate for the outbound MICE, specially for the meetings and incentives’, says Mr. Ibrahim Nalkhande, Chief Operating Officer for Travel of Planet Group.
Q. When will the tour packages start through Planet ?
A. ‘ We are aiming to launch a standalone brochure on Uzbekistan during the popular Arabian Travel Market 2009, however it’s an ambitious goal if we could not then certainly prior to the super peak season of the summer’, says Mr. Nalkhande.
ANOTHER QUOTE : Speaking at the press briefing at the VIP Lounge in Sharjah International Airport, Chief Operating Officer, Travel, Planet Group, Mr. Ibrahim Nalkhande said ‘ The travel division of Planet Group, Planet Travels & Tours is proud to be the General Sales Agent for Uzbekistan Airways in the United Arab Emirates and for Uzbekistan Tourism in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
Says Mr. Nalkhande, ‘ Uzbekistan with its rich history is indeed a great destination for cultural, historical and eco-tourism.’
Brief on Planet Group
The insight and resourcefulness of the visionary and owner Mr. Georges Moussa has build a niche for Planet Group, standing tall, in quiet confidence. The group is well – positioned in the United Arab Emirates, with offices in the Middle East, Europe, CIS and Far East.
The roots go back to 1989, when the company began as Planet Travel, Tours and Cargo. With its first steps in travel and tourism, Planet established many milestones, including its firsts in cargo and logistics in the United Arab Emirates.
Slowly but steadily, Planet Travel, Tours and Cargo diversified into many business entities in the United Arab Emirates with offices overseas. In UAE, the company boasts of a well-established chain of companies, each complementing the other and supporting the vision of its visionary.