Recreational and touristic resources of the Kitab-Shahrisabz talweg and its rationale in geography

The Kitab-Shahrisabz thalweg in Uzbekistan emerges as a promising model for sustainable tourism, leveraging its unique biodiversity hotspots, moderate climate, and cultural landmarks like the UNESCO-listed Shahrisabz. A 2025 study reveals strong community support (74%) for tourism-driven economic growth and cultural preservation (68%), though environmental degradation concerns were noted by 56% of respondents. Since 2021, visitor trends show consistent growth, with historical tours (54%) and trekking (42%) leading preferred activities. The research identifies critical challenges—environmental impacts, inadequate infrastructure, and limited community capacity—and proposes strategic interventions, including sustainable tourism planning, eco-friendly infrastructure development, and monitoring mechanisms to balance ecological integrity with regional development.

Boymurodova, K., Navotova, D., Jumaev, K., Allanazarov, K., & Usmonov, M. (2025). Recreational and touristic resources of the Kitab-Shahrisabz talweg and its rationale in geography. E3S Web of Conferences, 670, 5015. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202567005015