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Journal of Sistan and Baluchistan Studies

Journal of Sistan and Baluchistan Studies

TOURISM COMPETITIVENESS IN UZBEKISTAN: ARCHAEOLOGICAL TOURISM AT SHAH-I-ZINDA AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors
1 Head of Global Education Tourism Department, Silk Road International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage, Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
2 Head of Youth Department, Silk Road International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage, Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Abstract
With the rapid growth of the tourism industry worldwide, cultural and archaeological tourism has gained increasing attention. However, there is still a lack of studies on tourism competitiveness in developing countries. This research explores key factors that influence the competitiveness of Uzbekistan’s tourism sector, particularly in cultural and heritage tourism. Uzbekistan, home to numerous historical sites, including the Shah-i-Zinda complex, holds great potential as a leading cultural tourism destination in Central Asia. The study aims to identify critical factors that strengthen the tourism sector, attract international visitors, and foster sustainable tourism development. Using a descriptive approach and literature review, this research highlights the role of national and regional tourism strategies in shaping a competitive and sustainable tourism industry. Findings suggest that architectural and archaeological heritage, particularly the Shah-i-Zinda complex, can play a key role in enhancing Uzbekistan’s global tourism appeal. This site, featuring architectural masterpieces from the 11th to 19th centuries—especially the Timurid era—offers significant cultural and historical value. By leveraging such heritage assets, Uzbekistan can position itself as a premier destination for cultural tourism while ensuring sustainable development.
Keywords

چکیده: با رشد سریع صنعت گردشگری در سراسر جهان، گردشگری فرهنگی و باستان‌شناسی توجه روزافزونی را به خود جلب کرده است. با این حال، همچنان مطالعات اندکی دربارة رقابت‌پذیری گردشگری در کشورهای در حال توسعه انجام شده است. این پژوهش به بررسی عوامل کلیدی مؤثر بر رقابت‌پذیری بخش گردشگری ازبکستان، به‌ویژه در حوزة گردشگری فرهنگی و میراثی، می‌پردازد. ازبکستان، که میزبان شمار زیادی از محوطه‌های تاریخی از جمله مجموعه شاه‌زنده است، پتانسیل بالایی برای تبدیل‌شدن به یکی از مقاصد اصلی گردشگری فرهنگی در آسیای مرکزی دارد. هدف این مطالعه شناسایی عوامل حیاتی در تقویت بخش گردشگری، جذب گردشگران بین‌المللی، و ترویج توسعة پایدار گردشگری است. این پژوهش با بهره‌گیری از رویکرد توصیفی و مرور منابع، نقش راهبردهای ملی و منطقه‌ای گردشگری را در شکل‌گیری صنعتی رقابتی و پایدار برجسته می‌سازد. یافته‌ها نشان می‌دهند که میراث معماری و باستان‌شناسی، به‌ویژه مجموعة شاه‌زنده، می‌تواند نقش کلیدی در افزایش جذابیت جهانی گردشگری ازبکستان ایفا کند. این مجموعه که دربردارندة شاهکارهای معماری از سدة یازدهم تا نوزدهم میلادی و به‌ویژه دورة تیموری است، دارای ارزش فرهنگی و تاریخی چشمگیری است. ازبکستان با بهره‌گیری از چنین منابع میراثی می‌تواند خود را به‌عنوان مقصدی برتر برای گردشگری فرهنگی معرفی کرده و در عین حال، توسعة پایدار را تضمین کند.

کلیدواژه: دورة تیموری، گردشگری باستان‌شناسی، رقابت‌پذیری مقصد گردشگری، مفهوم گردشگری پایدار.

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Volume 5, Issue 1
June 2025
Pages 59-72

  • Receive Date 04 April 2025
  • Revise Date 12 April 2025
  • Accept Date 19 April 2025
  • Publish Date 01 April 2025