Uzbekistan targets long‑haul tourists with new flights and higher‑spend incentives

Uzbekistan is seeking to turn its rising inbound visitor numbers into longer stays and greater revenue. Official data show tourist trips increasing from 6.63 million in 2023 to 7.96 million in 2024, with a projected 11.68 million trips for 2025 – a 46.8 % jump from the previous year. Export earnings from tourism services rose from $2.14 billion in 2023 to $3.52 billion in 2024 and are forecast to reach $4.8 billion in 2025.

Tourism Committee chairman Abdulaziz Akkulov said the strategy focuses on “attracting more long‑haul travellers from Europe, Asia and the Americas” and on “higher‑value visitors who contribute more to the economy through their spending.” The government has introduced subsidies for tour operators and airlines and offers a 50 % VAT refund to hotels and tourism companies during the summer season.

Air connectivity is central to the plan. Uzbekistan Airways has expanded its fleet from 26 to 45 aircraft and has signed a firm order for 14 Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliners, with deliveries slated to begin in 2031. Deputy board chairman Shukhrat Yadgarov explained that additional direct flights will cut travel time and make the country more accessible to distant markets, while also encouraging multi‑country Central Asian itineraries.