Located in the heart of Central Asia, Uzbekistan is a country with a rich history, cultural heritage and unique attractions, attracting attention with a combination of oriental traditions and modern development. According to a prestigious international rating, the country is among the top 20 fastest growing destinations in world tourism.
Indeed, the development of tourism in Uzbekistan is showing impressive results. According to a report from the Statistics Agency, from January to December 2023, 6.6 million foreign tourists visited the country. The tourism industry has become a significant source of income for the economy, with the export of tourism services for 10 months of 2023 at $1,830 million, and plans to increase this figure to $2.5 billion in 2024.
The country was named the best travel destination in 2024 at the international tourism exhibition World Travel in London, and the city of Shakhrisabz received the status of the tourist capital of the Economic Cooperation Organization.
To promote its tourism potential, Uzbekistan actively cooperates with international partners and media structures, including BBC World News, participates in major international exhibitions and conferences, and regularly presents new tourist destinations.
Starting this year, the “Another Day of Traveling in Uzbekistan” program will be launched. It is designed to encourage travelers to spend more time in the country and reveal the splendor of attractions interconnected by the “tourist ring”. It is noteworthy that the Silk Uzbekistan Fashion Week will be held as part of the program.
The country has set ambitious goals: The Presidential Decree “On measures to significantly increase the flow of foreign tourists to the country and further intensify domestic tourism” of January 12, 2024 approved forecast indicators for attracting foreign tourists in 2024 to 9.96 million people (+1,5 times compared to 2023).
One of Uzbekistan’s key objectives, aimed at improving the tourism experience and increasing the influx of tourists, is to simplify the visa regime, which has already led to a significant increase in the number of travelers from various countries. In addition, the desire for integration into the global tourism community emphasizes the introduction of electronic visas and visa-free travel for citizens of certain countries. Thus, Uzbekistan has a visa-free regime for 91 countries.
Investment in infrastructure is another important aspect of the tourism development strategy. The construction of new hotels, restoration of historical sites, and improvement of transport accessibility are increasing Uzbekistan’s attractiveness to international guests. In particular, attention is paid to developing regional airports and improving highways connecting key tourist cities and attractions. The government of Uzbekistan and international financial organizations allocate significant funds to develop tourism infrastructure. In 2024 alone, more than $200 million was allocated for these purposes.
We are incredibly proud of the rich cultural and historical heritage, particularly the UNESCO World Heritage List sites. The country focuses on traditional Silk Road destinations, offering tourists a unique chance to explore the ancient cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. Efforts to preserve and restore these historical places, as well as the organization of cultural events, allow visitors to the country to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the ancient East.
In addition, Uzbekistan offers many opportunities to enjoy the beauty of the local nature. National natural parks, the Chimgan International All-Season Resort, and many other locations provide unique opportunities for hiking and cycling tours, camping, and wildlife viewing. This not only contributes to the sustainable development of the tourism industry but also raises awareness of the need to conserve Uzbekistan’s natural resources.
The number of tourist accommodation facilities has significantly increased in recent years to create more comfortable travel conditions.
According to statistics from the Association of Hoteliers, there are more than 4.8 thousand accommodation facilities in the country, of which more than 3.3 thousand are guest houses and hostels, 1194 are hotels, and 66 are recreation areas that have received certificates. The number of rooms in the country is 33,820, and the number of places is 68,692. This includes both large international hotels and small family hotels located in historic areas of cities, which makes accommodation accessible to a wide range of tourists.
Domestic tourism is also becoming an essential part of the tourism industry in Uzbekistan. In January 2024, the volume of transport services in the country reached 9,425.3 billion UZS, an increase of 9.9 percent compared to the corresponding period in 2023. This indicates the growing interest of the local population in exploring their own country and supporting national tourism.
Notably, Uzbekistan’s international airports have reached a record annual passenger traffic of 10 million. In 2023, the number of airlines flying to the country’s airports increased to 59, providing direct flights between Uzbekistan’s major cities and important world centers such as Dubai, Istanbul, Moscow, and Beijing.
Keeping up with the times, Uzbekistan is actively integrating digital technologies into the tourism industry. These innovations include the introduction of electronic visas, the development of mobile applications for tourists, and the creation of virtual tours of historical places. These innovations make planning and conducting trips to the country more convenient and accessible.
The outlook for tourism in Uzbekistan is optimistic. According to the International Trade Administration (ITA) forecasts for 2024, it is planned to attract 7 million foreign tourists and generate revenue of $2.5 billion. This is largely driven by industry initiatives, a deep understanding of the needs of today’s travelers, and a commitment to delivering exceptional experiences.
Abduaziz Khidirov, UzA