This country is willing to compensate visitors unlucky enough to contract Covid 19. Photo / Unsplash, Snowcat
This country is willing to compensate visitors unlucky enough to contract Covid 19. Photo / Unsplash, Snowcat
The Central Asian nation of Uzbekistan has come up with a novel way to attract tourism during these uncertain times – by promising a massive payout to visitors if they catch COVID-19 there.
The Uzbek government said any tourist who contracted the virus within the country will be given $4660 to cover medical expenses in a local hospital.
Uzbekistan is reopening its borders for the first time since they were shut in March.
The Uzbekistan city of Samarkand is central Asia's oldest existing city. Photo / SnowsCat, Unsplash
"We want to reassure tourists they can come to Uzbekistan," the country's tourism ambassador to the UK, Sophie Ibbotson, said.
"The government is so confident that the new safety and hygiene measures being implemented across the tourism sector will protect tourists from COVID-19 that the president is prepared to put money where his mouth is. If you get COVID-19 on holiday in Uzbekistan, we will compensate you," she said.
Before covid 19, Lonely Planet named Uzbekistan as the must-see destination fore the year. Photo / Unsplash
The compensation offer applies to tourists who are part of a tour group led by a local guide.
Uzbekistan, a former Soviet republic, is becoming increasingly popular with travellers due to its intriguing ancient cities that were key stops on the Silk Road, along with its spectacular mausoleums, mosques and madrasahs, or religious schools.
Lonely Planet named Uzbekistan, along with Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and the rest of Central Asia, this year's number one region for travel due to an improved visa-free travel ability.
Tourists to Uzbekistan will be given a $4600 apology if they catch coronavirus there. Photo / Chi Lock Tsang, Unslpash
There have been around 15,000 cases of COVID-19 in Uzbekistan and 75 deaths.
Tourism expert David Goodger told CNN Travel the "Uzbekistan: Safe Travel Guaranteed" campaign was a clever way of reassuring tourists concerned about their health — and who may also have less disposable income after the pandemic.
Uzbekistan has seen relatively few infections from Covid 19. Photo / JK Baseer, Unsplash
"Safety concerns will take some greater importance in the early stages of recovery including assurances of safety, low infection rates, testing and tracking throughout destinations, as well as additional hygiene measures and other measures to limit the spread," he said.
The former Soviet republic is a main attraction for travellers on the Silk Road. Photo / Unspash, Artem Bryzgalov
"It is essentially an insurance against COVID, and signals that the destination is safe to visit, while also offering a financial incentive."
It's not the only destination thinking up new ways to lure back tourists.
Cyprus promised to cover the holiday costs of visitors who tested positive for the virus after visiting the island, including accommodation, medicine and food for the patient and their family.
