Tourist arrivals in Khorezm region increase 40-fold in 10 years

Khorezm region is a cradle of both Uzbek and world civilization.

The ancient oasis is becoming a major tourism destination, blending historical and cultural heritage with ecotourism and gastronomic tourism. The region’s tourism industry is an important driver of socio-economic development, helping to improve living standards. In 2025 alone, the region’s tourism service exports totaled $802.6 million, while this year’s corresponding figure has already far exceeded $1 billion. Khorezm region welcomed 13 million tourists, including nearly 3 million international visitors from 170 countries and more than 10 million domestic tourists.

“Over the past decade, the number of tourists visiting the region has increased 40-fold”, says Anvar Rajabov, Head of the Department for Cooperation with Entrepreneurs at the Khorezm Regional Tourism Department. “This figure is expected to grow further, supported by infrastructure projects being implemented at the initiative of the President. In particular, a toll road connecting Urgench and Khiva has been built, electric train services have been launched, and trolleybuses have been purchased to transport passengers between the two cities. Travelers arriving at Urgench International Airport can now reach Khiva comfortably by car, train or trolleybus”.

While Khorezm region had just 49 accommodation facilities in 2016, their number has now reached 347. Entrepreneurs investing in hotel infrastructure are eligible for subsidies ranging from 10 million to 20 million UZS per room in hotels commissioned between 2024 and 2026.

By the end of 2026, the region plans to add another 40 accommodation facilities, bringing the total to 387 and increasing overall accommodation capacity to 10,000 beds. In addition, 2,500 new jobs are expected to be created in the tourism sector.

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Ahmadjon Shokirov, photos by Behzod Saidov, UzA