Chorsu Bazaar: The Beating Heart Of Tashkent
BUSINESS
From Siti Radziah Hamzah
TASHKENT, June 23 (Bernama) -- 'Malaysia, Malaysia! Come here, I will give you a discount!' – such was the enthusiastic greeting echoing from nearly every tea, nuts and spice stall on the upper floor of Chorsu Bazaar, one of Tashkent's most iconic and historic markets.
The unexpected familiarity left me amused as I turned to my photographer, Fathin Suhaira Abd Rahim, and remarked that Malaysians must have built quite the reputation for their spending habits not just at home, but abroad as well.
In Uzbekistan, it seems, that reputation has reached legendary status. Local traders recognise and welcome Malaysians at first glance, reflecting the growing presence and warm perception of Malaysian tourists in this Central Asian nation.
What began as a friendly sales pitch quickly revealed something more telling: in Uzbekistan, Malaysians aren't just recognised, they're genuinely welcomed.
Many stallholders could instantly identify us as Malaysians even before we spoke, often greeting us with warm smiles and enthusiastic offers of discounts.
This immediate recognition underscores how Malaysian tourists have become a visible and valued presence in countries far beyond Southeast Asia.
Whether driven by word-of-mouth among vendors or the steady stream of Malaysian tour groups, the perception of Malaysians as friendly, polite, and generous customers has clearly taken root.
It reflects the growing number of Malaysian travellers exploring new destinations like Uzbekistan, and the meaningful people-to-people connections forged through simple acts of trade and hospitality.
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