DUSHANBE, April 12, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- A single cost for tourist visa has reportedly been set for all foreign nationals traveling to Tajikistan.

The deputy head of the Committee for Youth, Sports and Tourism Affairs under the Government of Tajikistan, Lochin Fayzulloyev, told Asia-Plus Monday afternoon the cost of Tajik tourist visa has been set at 25.00 U.S. dollars.

“The new tourist visa system came into effect on April 1 this year, earlier, the cost of tourist visa for foreign travelers had fluctuated from US$25.00 to US$100.00 that had caused bewilderment of representatives of some countries,” Fayzulloyev said, noting that the move is aimed at promoting further development of tourism industry in the country.

According to him, the cost of the Tajik tourist visa is the lowest among the CIS states; “within the CIS area, the highest cost of tourist visa is now US$100.00.”

In the meantime, 59,000 foreign nationals have traveled to Tajikistan in January-March 2010; 44,000 of them have visited the country on private business; 6,700 other have made business trips, 2,200 foreigners have passed through Tajikistan in transit and 3,000 foreigners have visited the country as tourists.

To-date, 158 tourist operators have been registered in Tajikistan.  Over the first three months of this year, four tourist companies have been granted operating license.  Meanwhile, seventy-seven tour companies have been suspended in the country lately for serious shortcomings in their activities, Fayzulloyev said.