The 5th International Meeting on the Silk Road, will convene stakeholders to discuss how the sector can work together to drive economic growth by strengthening the Silk Road tourism brand. The Meeting aims to inspire increased collaboration amongst Member States and establish a framework for easing travel facilitation to create a more seamless Silk Road travel experience.

“There is significant potential for tourism growth along the Silk Road and UNWTO is giving new impetus to this initiative as it develops its Silk Road Action Plan 2010-2011,” said UNWTO Executive Director, Mr. Zoltan Somogy. "At the 5th International Meeting we are anticipating strong attendance from across the region to help ensure that our key priority actions for the coming year are reflective of the interests of all Silk Road stakeholders.”

The Silk Road is a network of routes which for centuries served as a vital link between the East and the West. The Silk Road was a hub for the exchange of cultures, crafts, ideas, technologies and beliefs, traversed by conquerors, traders and missionaries. All this has left a rich cultural heritage for visitors to enjoy today.