INNOVATIVE BEGUEST STARTUP PROJECT IN DEVELOPMENT OF GASTRONOMIC TOURISM OF UZBEKISTAN AND ITS IMPORTANCE

Abstract. In this project, it is given about developing one of the most important sectors: gastronomic tourism with innovative technologies. Particularly, BeGuest network has been proposed as one of such projects, and there are opinions about the importance of the network today. BeGuest is the online platform that gives opportunity for tourists to communicate with local people in unusual way. Article is related to the issue about this innovative project and its functions, effectiveness for economics and society.

Keywords: gastronomic tourism, innovation, BeGuest, local population, startup, an internet network, technology.

Our country has a great opportunity for tourism. Having 3,000-year history, Uzbekistan is worth to be proud of its ancient monuments, various nature, national traditions, and hospitable people. All the directions for tourism in our country are being developed and also increasing their current importance is significant. Our president has also paid attention to this sphere in recent years. The decrees and resolutions of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan contain urgent tasks for tourism development. In particular, it was emphasized the use of Internet technologies in introducing the touristic potential of our country. On February 3, 2018, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan has accepted the Decree “On additional organizational measures to create favorable conditions for the development of tourism potential of the Republic of Uzbekistan”  which is involved making popular our historic cities of the country, as well as the promotion of sacred places and temples to the world[1]. The tasks set out in this regard have been consistently implementing.

Our country has high potential ability in tourism with its historic monuments.  At the same time, our travel agencies, like the legacy of the Soviet Union, provide services for tourists as a group.

Picture 1. BeGuest - project logo. Created by authors

However, there are many new and modern types of tourism in the world, and some of them have to be implemented in Uzbekistan. Without a doubt, this will create more facilities to increase the number of salaries and job positions.

The gastronomic type of tourism today is indispensable in the global tourism industry. Food cooking courses and national cuisine are everywhere, but seeing the process of cooking national dishes in this country has always been more interesting for tourists. Uzbek cuisine boasts good results in this regard.

Various projects and ideas are being implemented based on youth startups and innovative projects in order to offer food and parallel domestic tourism marketing. One of them is the BeGuest android application offered by a group of the Samarkand Institute of Economics and Service.

BeGuest is a project that develops tourism through innovative technologies that connect local people and visitors of the area. The project will be presented online as an android app and web site. With this program, local and foreign tourists will have the opportunity to create additional conveniences and services. In addition, another goal of the project is local tourism marketing.

There are some problems that the project gives a solution to eating after visiting in a region:

- invalid selection (in Assortment)

- the price is not appropriate

- uncomfortable location

- the menus are not flexible

- low service problems

- originality and nationality (both in design and in service)

The aforementioned problems were identified as a result of researches in the field of tourism. In addition, using innovative technologies in the field of tourism in the Republic of Uzbekistan is also relevant.

The Android app and the BeGuest web site will be featured to address the above issues. This app has the following features that can be overridden through the following features:

- the main function is to organize visiting of tourists for lunch or dinner at home of native residents;

- convenient and easy to use. Unlike some programs, the target menus are selected;

- the main objective is to organize a catering service where tourists can be invited to local simple homes;

- in addition to the web site and the feed service offered by the Android app, you may also be interested in advertising local resources for tourist attractions;

- Google Map navigator support;

- it has the function of selling and purchasing in a simple system (the owner sells the service, a tourist buys it);

- foreign languages used;

- the food is served in the filter (the menu is based on according to the traveler's taste)

- the ability to work online on the current status, while offline, the ability to work with data, and so on.

The project is offered on the web site and in the form of an android app. There are two types of users available. First category users are "sellers" directly, offering lunch or dinner in their guest houses (homes). Entering information such as your passport details, address, profession, and so on will be logged in BeGuest. They place and advertise their meal at a reasonable price. The second group of users is "buyers" who are directly in the vicinity of tourists visiting the area or looking for a convenient meal for themselves. They will enter to www. beguest.uz or the "BeGuest" android application. From the main menu, tourists select TheTourist and filter meals by using a local search, also ads, or Google map and choose the dishes offered and order it. At the time of the invitation, they go to the house. The owner of the apartment may also offer other services as per the needs of the traveler or as an additional service.

Target users have also been studied, mainly for tourism. Organizations (businessmen, hotels, restaurants, and canteens), local residents and tourists, visitors to the area are the subject of tourism. They will be able to use the program directly or for advertising purposes. They can also be used by residents of the area. In general, we have the following users:

- "Sellers" - residents of the local area, subjects of tourism, entrepreneurs;

- "Buyers" - Tourists, local people, short-term visitors of the area, and so on.

Market occupation is based on tourist analysis. According to tourism statistics, the number of visitors to Uzbekistan is 2,847,900 (stat.uz), most of them visited in order to travel to Uzbekistan. Let us suppose that only 203,700 tourists (stat.uz) are visitors only for tourist purposes. Thus, the "customer" structure is 203 700 people (in the common segment). Subjects of tourist activity - tourist companies and organizations - 449, number of hotels - 664, specialized places of placement - 460, restaurants, bars and other types of food - 58 227 (yellowpages.uz) - as "seller" of BeGuest network can offer additional services. In addition, those who live in the area and want to offer extra income to their home or just interested can create an account in BeGuest as a seller. It also happens among local residents who decide to go home as a client.

Project Development Strategy:

The project is designed to provide smooth operation and improve with a variety of smaller MVPs. Specific development stages of the project are as follows:

1) Theoretical aspects of the project are covered. Consumer research will be conducted the full functioning mechanism will be created (1 month);

2) The first MVP web site that specializes in the project's main functionality will be created. Web site of "sellers" and "Customers" menu, which consists of www.beguest.uz operates by name. The first MVP is a basic web site (2-3 months);

3) 1st Period usage indicators are analyzed. According to the results, additional MVPs (Google MAP navigator, online reservation, filtering, search engines, etc.), and website-based android applications will be created (2-4 months);

4) In order to increase the level of use of the web site and mobile application and to increase the revenue, it will move to the marketing period. Additionally, additional features may be added or removed depending on the user's needs. Advertisement of subjects is arranged based on agreements. BeGuest will be promoted in different networks and media. BeGuest service center is created and the team is expanded (1 year);

5) Geographical expansion period. Project-marketing is carried out in the city-region-republic-continent-world. Functions of the project will be adopted by customer needs (1-3 years)

BeGuest has the following financial gain options:

- commission fee for offering services is the main source of income (the subject offers service and 5% to 10% of the offered price is transferred to BeGuest network);

- one-time or periodic charge for advertising will be paid to BeGuest network;

- by selling additional services and so on.

In sum, the creation of the above-mentioned project requires only 5-7 million soums for the investor. However, the source of income can be very large, both economic and social. In addition, the project will create a new brand in Uzbekistan.

References:

1. Decree of the President of Uzbekistan about “On additional organizational measures to create favorable conditions for the development of tourism potential of the Republic of Uzbekistan” on 3^rd February, in 2018. www.lex.uz
2. www.kun.uz - information portal
3. www.stat.uz - official statistics of national statistics
4. www.yellowpages.uz - advertising and news portal