DUSHANBE, January 5, Asia-Plus -- Incomes from tourism and relevant industries last year exceeded 6.5 million somonis.   

Bakhtiyor Hamdamov, deputy head of the Committee for Youth Affairs, Sports and Tourism, said in an interview with Asia-Plus that last year, 29,700 foreign tourists visited Tajikistan, which 15,000 people more than in 2005.  “According to data from 36 tourism operators, 14,500 Tajik tourists, including pilgrims, visited other countries in 2006,” Hamdamov said, noting at present more than 70 tourism operators function in the country.  Not all of them have submitted their reports to the committee and therefore the figures may be much higher, according to him.   

Hamdamov noted that four other tourism companies had applied for license to the committee.  

According to him, the country’s budget last year received 804,700 somonis from tourism industry.  

Hamdamov said that they are currently projecting a program for development of tourism in Tajikistan.  He added that this week they sent a letter to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for joining it.  

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is a United Nations agency dealing with questions relating to tourism.  Its headquarters are in Madrid, Spain.   It compiles the World Tourism Rankings.  The World Tourism Organisation is undoubtedly the most significant global body concerned with the collection and collation of statistical information on international tourism. This organisation represents public sector tourism bodies from most countries in the world and the publication of its data makes possible comparisons of the flow and growth of tourism on a global scale.