Overview
The city of Khiva in Uzbekistan experienced tremendous tourism growth in 2018 and 2019. In February of 2020 they partnered with UNESCO to develop a Destination Management Plan and Sustainable Tourism Strategy for the World Heritage Property of Itchan Kala and the City of Khiva. This plan was developed in partnership with a broad range of tourism industry professionals and included four main goals:
- Better safeguard and protect the Outstanding Universal Value of the Itchan Kala World Heritage Property, including the intangible cultural heritage and living traditions valued by residents
- Enhance the delivery of world-class visitor services and develop a highly skilled tourism workforce
- Increase destination awareness and attract higher spending markets that stay longer in Khiva, through increased and more effective destination marketing and promotion
- Deliver meaningful benefits from tourism to all Khorezmliks while maintaining a “living city” within Itchan Kala
Major Activities
- Solimar worked with public and private tourism and heritage stakeholders to explore the possibility of creating a Destination Management Organization (DMO)
- Formed group of local tourism business owners and related stakeholders to help review and answer questions during the development phase of the website to promote Khiva
- Provided training and support a local specialist to a leadership group of private sector tourism companies that will help make decisions
