From Samarkand to the Huangpu River: A Silk Road Student's Shanghai Tourism Management Training Journey

    When discussing tourism development trends in China and Uzbekistan, Nodirbek stated, "Although the scale of development differs, China and Uzbekistan share many common strengths in tourism: rich historical heritage, diverse cultural foundations, and unique natural landscapes. Yet the development models of the two countries are distinct. China has achieved remarkable success in technological innovation, infrastructure, and diversified services, having built a comprehensive ecosystem that includes intelligent tourism tools, big data analytics, mobile payments, and AI customer service. China not only meets the needs of contemporary tourists but also prepares for future challenges such as an aging population and shifting consumption patterns. Uzbekistan, while still having room to improve in technological infrastructure, boasts living Silk Road heritage sites such as Samarkand and Bukhara, as well as world-renowned traditions of hospitality, making it ideal for travelers seeking deep cultural experiences. My experience at the summer school made me realize that China and Uzbekistan's tourism industries are not competitors but complementary partners—China's cutting-edge technologies can support Uzbekistan's development, while our cultural heritage aligns with the growing demand among Chinese tourists for 'reverse tourism.'"

    Practical Teaching: Experiencing the Cultural and Tourism Charm of Shanghai

    Beyond the theoretical courses, the summer school carefully designed a series of practical field visits, allowing international students to engage deeply with Shanghai's cultural and tourism industry. Nodirbek visited several highly representative cultural and tourism landmarks: at the 600-year-old City God Temple, he witnessed the harmonious coexistence of traditional temple culture and modern commerce; strolling through the Tianzifang art and creative district, he experienced the design vitality emerging from the renovation of old factories; at the newly opened Shanghai Museum East, he observed how digital technologies are revolutionizing the display of cultural relics; and in Xinchang Ancient Town, he had an immersive experience of balancing authentic preservation of the Jiangnan water-town heritage with tourism development.

    "These field visits were like opening a series of windows to observe Shanghai's cultural and tourism industry," Nodirbek said. "Each site tells a story of dialogue between tradition and modernity, and this model of 'living heritage' has been highly inspiring for me." What impressed him particularly was how Shanghai, while preserving its cultural heritage, has leveraged innovative approaches such as smart tourism and cultural and creative development to achieve the modern transformation of cultural value—providing a valuable reference for tourism development in Central Asia.

(Nodirbek is visiting the Writing Brush and Ink Palace Workshop, experiencing the charm of Chinese calligraphy culture)

    During the hospitality management practice sessions, Nodirbek conducted in-depth visits to three of Shanghai's most iconic hotels: Peace Hotel, which has witnessed a century of Bund history; Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, converted from a historic building; and the Broadway Mansions Hotel Shanghai, renowned as the "Window of Shanghai." Through on-site inspections and in-depth exchanges with management, he gained a systematic understanding of how international luxury hotel brands implement localization strategies in the Chinese market, giving him a fresh perspective on the "global vision, local execution" approach to hospitality management. What impressed him most was how these hotels incorporate Chinese cultural elements into unique service highlights, simultaneously meeting international visitors' expectations for exotic culture while allowing local guests to experience cultural identity. "This art of balance embodies the essence of hospitality management in the era of globalization," he noted.

(Nodirbek is visiting the Broadway Mansions Hotel Shanghai)

    Looking Ahead: Becoming a Practitioner of China-Uzbekistan Cultural and Tourism Development

    Reflecting on his experience at the summer school, Nodirbek emphasized the profound impact of cross-cultural exchange. Through classroom discussions, field visits, and other diverse activities, he and international students from various disciplines explored the forefront of the industry together. He noted, "I look forward to using this platform to expand my professional network, gain cross-cultural experience, and deepen my understanding of the Asian hospitality industry—this is a rare opportunity that combines academic pursuit, cultural exploration, and personal growth."

    This summer school has also marked a key milestone in his academic and professional development. "The future of the tourism industry will inevitably move toward a deep integration of culture, technology, and human-centered principles," he explained regarding his research vision. "My doctoral research will focus on exploring AI applications in the hospitality industry and the design of immersive tourism experiences, areas that remain at the forefront in Central Asian academia. At the same time, I plan to conduct a systematic comparative study of tourism development models between China and Uzbekistan."

    Looking to the future, he demonstrated ambitions both as a scholar and a practitioner: "I plan to organize seminars at my university to share emerging concepts from the summer school, such as intelligent health and wellness tourism. I aspire to transform these innovative ideas into practical forces driving reform in Uzbekistan's tourism education and to serve as an academic bridge connecting cultural and tourism exchanges between Central Asia and China." He particularly emphasized, "I look forward to establishing deep collaborative relationships with Chinese institutions such as Shanghai Business School, advancing the prosperity of China-Uzbekistan cultural and tourism industries through joint research projects, faculty and student exchange programs, and other concrete initiatives." This cross-cultural learning experience has already become a significant milestone in his professional development.

(Nodirbek, as a representative of international students, is giving a speech at the completion ceremony)