On April 30, 2026, the Public Association DMO Karakalpakstan hosted a meeting with Jake Rattan, an MPhil researcher from the Department of Geography at the University of Cambridge.

During the visit, the guest was introduced to the activities of the organization and received detailed information about the tourism potential of Karakalpakstan, particularly the Aral Sea region, ongoing reforms, and the conditions created in the country for tourism development.

Within the framework of the meeting, a presentation was delivered on the key projects of DMO Karakalpakstan, achieved results, and their contribution to the development of the regional tourism industry. Special attention was given to large-scale reforms initiated by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, aimed at supporting sustainable tourism development and strengthening the country’s position on the international stage.

It was noted that in recent years there has been a steady increase in the number of foreign tourists visiting Karakalpakstan: while 112,000 tourists visited the region in 2023, this number reached 300,000 by 2025.

During the discussion, Jake Rattan stated that he is conducting research on the dynamics of tourism development in the Aral Sea region, the activities of local tourism organizations, and the overall potential of the region. According to him, the collected materials will be used in academic publications and research to promote the tourism opportunities of Karakalpakstan within the international academic community.

At the end of the meeting, both sides expressed mutual interest in further cooperation, exchange of experience, and joint promotion of Karakalpakstan’s tourism potential at the international level.