World Tourism Day

On September 27, the world celebrates World Tourism Day, a holiday the UNWTO established in 1979 to mark the adoption of the organization’s statutes.

World Tourism Day 2026, themed “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”, reflects the industry-wide shift toward digitalization, forecasting tourist flows, and mitigating environmental impacts. In this context, Uzbekistan is not merely a participant in the celebration. It has been entrusted with a key role in the years ahead. Uzbekistan and the UN have agreed to jointly prepare for the official opening of 2027, the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism. The opening is scheduled for November 2026 in Tashkent, as part of the Tourism on the Silk Road International Fair.

Tourism growth in recent years is the strongest evidence of the country’s successful reforms. In 2023, Uzbekistan welcomed 6.6 million foreign tourists. According to the Statistics Committee, 8.2 million foreign citizens visited the country for tourism in 2024, a 24.2 percent increase over 2023.

By the end of 2025, Uzbekistan had welcomed 11.7 million tourists, a 46.8 percent increase over 2024. Since April 2025, monthly tourist arrivals have exceeded 1 million for the first time in the country’s history. Growth has continued in 2026: from January to July, 7.75 million foreign tourists visited Uzbekistan, up 22.6 percent from the same period last year.

According to the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer report, by the end of January-September 2025, Uzbekistan ranked among the world’s top seven countries for growth in attracting foreign tourists, with tourist arrivals rising 13 percent in the first nine months. This placed the country among the top four destinations in the European region for growth, compared with global growth in international travel of about 5 percent.

These results reflect a consistent state policy pursued over the past decade. Key measures include liberalizing the visa regime by simplifying entry and introducing visa-free access for citizens of most countries, making Uzbekistan one of the region’s most open destinations. Infrastructure projects are also ongoing, including the development of new tourist facilities across the regions, such as Namangan, and the restoration of heritage sites. One example is the renovated Imam Bukhari Complex in Samarkand, which has become a major draw for pilgrims and tourists.

Orash Akaboyev, UzA