MODEL UNITED NATIONS (MUN) AS A TOOL FOR YOUTH ENGAGEMENT IN MICE TOURISM IN UZBEKISTAN

IN MICE TOURISM IN UZBEKISTAN

Narzullaeva Fariza Akmalevna

Teacher at Tashkent state university of oriental studies Introduction Model United Nations (MUN) conferences are globally recognized as platforms that simulate the work of the United Nations, providing youth with opportunities to develop leadership, diplomacy, and public speaking skills. In Uzbekistan, the integration of MUN into educational and extracurricular activities can be considered not only as an academic exercise but also as part of the broader MICE tourism industry, fostering internationalization and youth engagement. Methods The paper employs a case study approach based on the author’s experience of organizing an MUN conference in Uzbekistan. The methodology included event planning, budget analysis, stakeholder involvement, and evaluation of participant engagement. Comparative analysis of MUN practices in other countries provided additional context. Results The conference registered 200 participants, with 156 delegates actively attending. Each participant paid a fee of 120,000 UZS, which covered: - Stationery and committee materials. - Catering services, supported by corporate sponsors such as Pepsi, Saykhun Water, and Dodo Pizza. - Printing and promotional expenses (flyers, banners, certificates). The event demonstrated: - High interest from youth in English-language debate formats. - Development of soft skills (communication, negotiation, leadership). - Potential for scaling MUN conferences as part of youth-oriented MICE activities.

Table 1

SWOT analysis of MICE tourism in Uzbekistan1

Strengths Weaknesses

- Rich cultural and historical heritage.

- Growing interest in Uzbekistan as a tourist destination.

- State support for tourism, including the MICE sector.

- Relatively low cost of holding events compared to other countries.

- Improved transport accessibility (new routes, modernization).

- Expanding hotel infrastructure, including international chains.

- Underdeveloped MICE

infrastructure, especially outside

Tashkent, Bukhara and Samarkand.

- Lack of qualified specialists

specializing in organizing MICE events.

- Insufficient international

promotion of Uzbekistan as a MICE

destination.

- Limited use of digital

technologies in organizing MICE

events.

- Some seasonal restrictions

(although less pronounced than in

leisure travel)

Possibilities Threats

- To attract major international events (conferences, exhibitions).

- Strengthening cooperation with global organizations (ICCA, UNWTO).

- Development of public-private partnerships to attract investment in

- MICE infrastructure.

- Competition from neighboring

countries in Central Asia and other

regions.

- Natural or force majeure

circumstances affecting the tourism

industry.

- Insufficient funding for MICE

tourism development programs.

1Gulnoza Ilkhomova Zayniddin kizi 1level Phd student at Tashkent State University of Economics. leader specialist of scientific research institute for tourism development //Yashil iqtisodiyot va taraqqiyot 2025-year, march. No. 3 "mice tourism as a driver of tourist and excursion services development in Uzbekistan in the context of contemporary global trends"

- Using digital technologies to promote and organize MICE events.

- Non-compliance with

international service standards. Discussion and Conclusion The MUN experience in Uzbekistan illustrates how youth conferences can contribute to the development of MICE tourism. They encourage student participation, attract sponsorship, and promote cultural and educational exchange. Future strategies may include: - Expanding MUN to regional centers (Bukhara, Samarkand, Fergana). - Integrating digital tools (hybrid or VR-based debates). - Establishing partnerships with universities and international organizations. By bridging education, culture, and tourism, MUN can be positioned as a sustainable model for engaging young people in Uzbekistan’s MICE industry.

References 1. Bautista, H., Dju, A. V., Gaisin, I. T., & Mustafin, M. R. (2022). Student and youth tourism as prospects for sustainable development of Uzbekistan regions. In I. Savchenko (Ed.), Freedom and Responsibility in Pivotal Times (Vol. 125, pp. 1067–1072). European Proceedings of Social and Behavioural Sciences. 2. Musayeva, S. (2024). Ways to effectively promote Uzbekistan’s MICE tourism potential on a global scale. Journal of Academic Research and Trends in Educational Sciences, 3(4), 181–187. https://ijournal.uz/index.php/jartes/article/view/1714 3. Usmonova, G., Alieva, D., & León, C. J. (2022). Yurt Invited: Combining tourists’ and stakeholders’ perceptions of sustainable community-based tourism in Central Asia. Sustainability, 14(13), Article 7540. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14137540