COVID-19 and its relating factors have adversely affected the pace of construction of new luxury hotels in Dushanbe, according to the Committee for Architecture and Construction (CoAC) under the Government of Tajikistan.

A source at a CoAC says the pace of construction of hotel complexes slowed down last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and it is unlikely that these facilities will be commissioned by the 30th anniversary of Tajikistan’s Independence, which is celebrated on September 9 this year.   

According to him, only a 4-star Safo-Plaza Hotel is expected to be commissioned by September 9.  This 12-story hotel has been constructed in Dushanbe’s Ismoili Somoni district, near the Teachers’ Training University.  

“Besides, ten 3-story residences for receiving high-ranking guests, which have been built along the central avenue of the city, will be commissioned by September 9,” the source said, adding that construction of those facilities has been financed by ministries, state-run agencies and some local entrepreneurs. 

It is to be noted, that seven luxury hotels and ten residences for receiving heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member nations were supposed to be commissioned in the Tajik capital by the 30th anniversary of the country’s Independence.   

There are also several other luxury hotels being constructed.  Construction of these hotels began much earlier.  Among them are Grand Roudaki Tower and Ismoili Somoni Hotel.  For example, Ismoili Somoni Hotel has been under construction for already fifteen years.  

According to official statistics, about 40 hotels of different categories now operate in Dushanbe.  The largest of them are Hilton Dushanbe Hotel, Hyatt Regency Dushanbe and Dushanbe Serena Hotel.