Management Company Silk Road Samarkand have announced the first official event to inaugurate Central Asia’s largest tourist complex.
High-ranking local and foreign officials, diplomats, academicians and cultural dignitaries attended the ceremony, with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev officiating.
The official launch took place in the 17-hectare Eternal City, centrepiece of the complex covering a total area of over 260 hectares.
More than 10,000 specialists were involved in the design and construction of the £500m pounds ($580m) project.
The complex includes eight hotels with 1,200 rooms, green areas with 30,000 trees planted, a Congress Hall with capacity for 3,500 visitors, 19.7 miles (31.8km) of paths and roads, 46 hectares of renovated rowing canal and an Eco Village comprised of 14 villas built from wood.
The Eternal City has been created and curated by famous modern Uzbek artist Bobur Ismoilov. It will offer guests a rare opportunity to explore a combination of Hellenistic and Islamic cultures constituting the diversity of Uzbekistan’s ancient heritage. The area hosts art galleries and workshops of artisans from across Uzbekistan.
Eight world-class hotels are scheduled to open after 20 September, 2022, including two five-star and two four-star facilities. Samarkand Regency Amir Temur (5*) hotel will mark the opening of Central Asia’s first member hotel of the prestigious LHW Association.
The entirety of the complex impressively showcases Samarkand’s role as ascending tourism capital of Central Asia, further aided by the new international airport terminal opened earlier this year.
Artyom Yegikyan, General Director of the management company, Silk Road Samarkand, said: “Three years on from the commencement of works, with trepidation and pride, we are now on the threshold of the opening of the Silk Road Samarkand tourist centre. I am sure this unique tourist complex will become a model of world-class hospitality for the entire Central Asia.
“The opening of Silk Road Samarkand is a significant event not only for the people involved in its creation, but also for the country in general.”
Produced by a team of Uzbek and international choreographers, artists, directors, and technical specialists, the show represented a declaration of love for historical traditions, culture, and the modern aspirations of Uzbekistan.
