Botir Choriev is a man who turned his childhood dream into a reality. His journey is a story of how belief in oneself, love for one’s culture and hard work can transform dreams into success and inspire others to create something unique and valuable.
Botir Choriev was born and raised in the heart of ancient Shakhrisabz, where the walls of ancient fortresses preserve the memory of great times. This historic city surrounded by majestic mountains became not only his home, but also a source of inspiration, which determined his path in life.
His childhood was spent among the narrow streets of Shakhrisabz, where every house, every corner was permeated with the spirit of history and hospitality. His parents – Erkin Tukhtamisheviya and Gulnora Jurakulovna – were respected people in the city. Botir’s father headed the private enterprise “Botirpolvon”, and his mother, who devoted herself to craftsmanship from childhood, managed the private enterprise “Tikuvci Anoragul” and the regional management association “Hunarmand”, glorifying the traditions of Shakhrisabz.
From an early age, Botir saw their home become a haven for foreign visitors. These people came from all corners of the world to enjoy the cultural richness of the region, and each time his family tried to make their stay as welcoming and warm as possible. These moments left a deep imprint on his heart and sparked a dream to create a place where every guest would feel at home.
The path to the goal
During his travels to various countries, accompanying his mother to craft exhibitions, Botir stayed in small hotels and guesthouses. He soaked up their atmosphere, studied how they worked and imagined how he could one day bring his ideas to life. These travels strengthened his determination to create a unique family guesthouse in Shakhrisabz that would become a symbol of Uzbek hospitality.
Where the dreams come true
In 2016, as Shakhrisabz was preparing for the big Makom festival, a massive reconstruction of the city was underway. This was a turning point – it was then that the Choriev family decided to realize their long-held dream.
When the house underwent renovation, the family decided to turn it into a family guest house that would not just be a place to stay, but a cultural center that would embody the spirit of Shakhrisabz. They named it “Anoragul” – in honor of Botir’s mother, Gulnora. The name carries the symbolism of the “pomegranate flower”, which in the region’s handicraft tradition is a symbol of beauty and prosperity.
First steps in the tourism business
Botir started his journey in tourism while studying at university, working as a tour guide and guiding tourists to the most secluded corners of Shakhrisabz. These first steps in his work allowed him to better understand the needs of guests and learn the nuances of working in the hospitality industry.
However, despite the acquired knowledge, the road to opening a family guesthouse was not an easy one. Botir faced difficulties in renovating and decorating the house, but overcoming one obstacle after another, he got closer to his goal every day.
“Anoragul” nowadays
In 2024, Botir began working with the Association of Private Tourism Agencies of Uzbekistan (APTA) and participated in a seminar on classifying family guesthouses under The USAID Future Growth Initiative. This experience allowed him to raise the quality of service in his family guesthouse to a new level and strengthen its position in the market.
Today “Anoragul” is not just an accommodation facility, but a real oasis of Uzbek hospitality, where every guest can immerse himself in the atmosphere of traditions and culture of the region.
In addition, “Anoragul” received the category of “three stars” at the last classification of family guest houses in Kashkadarya region, which proves the high level of services provided and compliance with the standards of hospitality.
Yet, Botir is not going to stop there. He plans to develop partnerships with local travel agencies, create new tourist routes, expand the range of services and introduce sustainable business practices.
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