A New Destination on Khorezm’s Tourist Map

12.10.2026 12:14

Khiva, which attracts tourists with its historical monuments, unique architecture and rich cultural heritage, is also developing as a modern tourism centre. Creating high-quality service venues and convenient conditions for tourists is important in this process. The Sofra restaurant and hotel complex, which has opened near Ichan Kala, is one of the projects meeting this need.

A press tour with representatives of leading media outlets operating in Uzbekistan was organised to introduce the Sofra restaurant and hotel complex. During the event, journalists saw the project’s capabilities, its facilities and the work being done to develop tourism in the region.

During the press tour, media representatives were told about the project’s history, its implementation stages and future plans. The initiative was proposed a year ago by young entrepreneur Olloshukur Rustamov during the President’s open dialogue with entrepreneurs. Thanks to the attention given to the entrepreneur, the opportunities created and the financial support of Uzbek Industrial and Construction Bank, yesterday’s initiative has now become a working project. Despite his young age, the entrepreneur has succeeded in building Sofra into a successful brand.

The complex includes a 90-room premium hotel and a restaurant that can accommodate 400 guests at a time. Guests are offered services that combine comfort with a high level of hospitality. Tourists staying at the hotel can easily reach the open-air museum of Ichan Kala, and conversations over a cup of tea while enjoying the historical scenery become even more pleasant.

The project’s importance lies not only in developing tourism infrastructure, but also in creating jobs. Nearly 200 jobs have been created at the complex. Priority in hiring was given, among others, to young people from low-income families and those who had returned from looking for work abroad. Young people working in the restaurant and hotel are learning languages, developing themselves and gaining experience in hospitality and services. Most importantly, they now have a steady source of income while staying close to their families.

Projects like this help increase the region’s economic potential, create new sources of income for local residents and improve the quality of services for tourists. In historic cities in particular, combining national traditions of hospitality with modern service further enhances tourist appeal.

The Sofra project shows what can be achieved when entrepreneurial initiative, financial support and opportunity come together. Uzbek Industrial and Construction Bank’s financial support for business projects plays an important role in creating new service venues and jobs and contributing to regional economic development. Today, the Sofra complex in Khiva not only enriches the tourism infrastructure, but also lays the groundwork for new opportunities and promising plans.

JSCB Uzbek Industrial and Construction Bank

External Relations Coordination Service

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