Uzbekistan tourism arrivals rise 21% to 9.1 million in early 2026

Uzbekistan has seen a significant surge in international travel, with 9.1 million foreign visits recorded in the first eight months of 2026, representing a 21.1% annual increase. According to the Uzbekistan Tourism Committee, tourism service exports rose by 53.5% to $4.6 billion during the same period.

While historical Silk Road sites like Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva remain primary draws, travelers are increasingly exploring regions beyond the traditional Tashkent-Samarkand-Bukhara-Khiva route, including the Fergana Valley, Kashkadarya, Surkhandarya, and Karakalpakstan.

Data indicates that visitor spending has increased substantially, with the average spend per tourist reaching $503, up from $197 in 2017. The average length of stay is currently eight days. Growth is particularly strong among long-distance markets; arrivals from China increased 2.3 times, while visitors from Malaysia and Japan also saw significant growth.