Uzbekistan is a popular destination for travelers

Exports of tourism services, which are revenues from foreign visitors in Kyrgyzstan, reached $ 1.985 billion by the end of 2025. This amount grew by 8.1 percent over the year, according to a report by the National Statistics Committee.

Economic contribution: Increase in GDP share and foreign currency revenues

The country’s tourism industry showed steady financial growth last year. According to preliminary estimates, the gross value added in this sector reached 74.4 billion soms. The share of tourism in the GDP increased to 3.8 percent from 3.6 percent a year earlier.

Kyrgyz citizens’ expenditures on international trips, or imports of services, totaled $564 million. Revenue trends across different service sectors varied. The highest increase was seen in sanatorium and resort services, with their volume rising by 32.2 percent.

Restaurants and catering businesses earned 26.1 billion soms, a 20.9 percent increase. Hotel revenues reached 11.1 billion soms, while tourist transportation services brought in 17.3 billion.

Business structure: Sole proprietors lead

As of January 1, 2026, there were 148.1 thousand tourism-related economic entities registered in the country. The vast majority – 87.1 percent, or 129,000 – operate as individual entrepreneurs.

Geographically, business activity is centered in Bishkek – with 33.8 thousand entities – followed by Osh region with 21 thousand, and Osh with 19.5 thousand. In the resort area of the Issyk-Kul region, 3.2 thousand enterprises offering leisure and recreation services are officially registered.

The hospitality infrastructure in 2025 included 842 specialized establishments and 2,316 guest houses. The country had 388 hotels, 98 boarding houses, 17 sanatoriums, and 102 travel companies operating. The production of related goods increased by 26.7 percent. In particular, the output of national beverages and mineral water rose to 4.5 billion soms.

Tourist flow and investment slowdown

The total number of tourists staying in the organized sector reached 1,780,000, which is 1.5 times the 2024 figure. The unorganized sector – including private sector and guest houses – accommodated 1,736,000 people.

A total of 74,000 people traveled through tour operators. Most were Kyrgyzstan citizens traveling within the country and abroad. Despite the increase in operating revenues, investment activity in the sector has slowed down.

First phase of the Ala-Too Resort Ski Cluster to be finished in December

More than 19 billion soms were invested in building and renovating tourism facilities, a 3.3 percent decrease from 2024. The share of tourism investments in total fixed capital investment dropped from 8.5 to 5.2 percent. The main funds were allocated by the Cabinet of Ministers and the private sector to road repairs, hotel upgrades, and the development of natural parks.

Tourism development remains one of the priorities of Kyrgyzstan’s economic policy. According to the World Bank’s forecast, the services sector, including tourism, is a key driver of economic growth, with growth stabilizing at 5.5 percent.

Uzbekistan is a popular destination for tourists

Uzbekistan remains one of the top destinations for tourists from Kyrgyzstan, according to data from the Tourism Committee. In the first two months of 2026, 521,100 Kyrgyz citizens visited our country, a 23.3 percent increase over the same period last year.

The Kyrgyz Republic leads in the number of trips to Uzbekistan, surpassing Tajikistan and Kazakhstan. A notable rise in tourists from Russia (+36 percent) and China (3.5 times) has also been observed.

Last year, 11.7 million foreign tourists visited the country. Citizens of Kyrgyzstan were also among the top three throughout all 12 months.

G. Khonnazarov, UzA