Tashkent, November 28, 2025 – European Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas delivered a video address at the inaugural Central Asia–EU Tourism Forum, urging enhanced regional collaboration to unlock Central Asia's tourism potential. \n\n\nCentral Asia’s Untapped Tourism Potential\nCommissioner Tzitzikostas emphasized that the region boasts exceptional cultural heritage, landscapes, and historical significance tied to the Silk Road, positioning it as a prospective leading global tourist destination. Acknowledging local distinctiveness, he promoted deeper regional cooperation to improve travel experience by easing visa procedures, strengthening connectivity, enhancing service quality, and cultivating a unified regional brand to attract international visitors. \n\n\nEU’s Experience as a Blueprint—With Adaptation\nDrawing on Europe's success in becoming the world's most visited region, the Commissioner outlined how streamlined travel, coordinated marketing strategies, and trusted quality standards have fostered growth. However, he carefully noted that Central Asia need not duplicate Europe’s approach entirely but could adapt relevant lessons to fit its unique context. The European Union offers support and knowledge-sharing on sustainable transport and responsible tourism development, signaling a readiness to assist Central Asian countries. \n\n\nPolicy Implications and Stakeholder Impacts\nThe speech stops short of offering concrete policy measures, numerical targets, or deadlines, instead extending declarative support for regional cooperation and sustainable tourism. This orientation suggests a policy shift favoring increased regional integration over strict national sovereignty on travel and tourism matters in Central Asia. Businesses in the tourism and transport sectors may benefit from simplified cross-border movement and quality improvements, though national authorities will face pressure to coordinate policies and possibly adjust visa frameworks. EU regulatory bodies might expand cooperation efforts beyond Europe, while consumers and tourists could enjoy smoother experiences. Civil society stands to gain from responsible tourism that preserves local cultures and environments. However, the lack of detailed commitments leaves implementation uncertain, potentially slowing momentum.
Commissioner Tzitzikostas’s address frames tourism as a strategic bridge linking Europe and Central Asia, highlighting a diplomatic posture that favors partnership and mutual learning without imposing rigid frameworks. The initiative underscores the EU’s growing interest in fostering sustainable regional cooperation beyond its borders through soft power and expertise sharing.
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