DUSHANBE, January 18, Asia-Plus - At present 65 tourism firms and companies are officially operating in Tajikistan, according to from Erkin Muqimov, head of the trade and tourism department within the Ministry of Economy and Trade (MET).

He says activities of the majority of tour operators in the republic are aimed at organizing travels of Tajik citizens abroad.  

According to official data, a total volume of services on tourism and relevant branches (transportation, hotels, restaurants, etc) in Tajikistan amounted to almost 20 million Somonis (equivalent to some US$7 million) in 2004.