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2 clusters · 4 sources · 20 days · First seen · Last updated

Uzbekistan tourism industry growth and expansion

Overview

Uzbekistan has seen a significant surge in international tourism, recording 9.1 million foreign visits during the first eight months of 2026. This represents a 21.1 percent increase compared to the previous year, with tourism service revenue growing by 53.5 percent to reach 4.6 billion dollars. Average spending per tourist has risen to 503 dollars, and visitors are staying for an average of eight days.

While traditional Silk Road routes through Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva remain popular, travelers are increasingly exploring regions such as the Fergana Valley, Kashkadarya, Surkhandarya, and Karakalpakstan.

To sustain this growth, the government has launched strategic initiatives to expand infrastructure and connectivity. A plan approved to develop nine caves and a salt mine across the Jizzakh, Samarkand, Surkhandarya, and Kashkadarya regions is expected to be operational by January 2029. Additionally, the Uzbekistan Tourism Committee is in discussions with Air Arabia to improve international access through potential direct flights to Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva.

Entities

Uzbekistan · Oybek Hakimov · Khiva · Uzbekistan Tourism Committee · Samarkand

Timeline

  1. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Uzbekistan expands tourism via cave development and new flight talks

    Uzbekistan is expanding its tourism sector by developing nine caves and a salt mine for visitors while negotiating new international flight connections with Air Arabia to historic sites like Samarkand.

  2. [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Uzbekistan tourism surges with 9.1 million foreign visits in 2026

    Uzbekistan saw 9.1 million foreign visits in the first eight months of 2026, a 21.1% increase, with tourism revenue rising to $4.6 billion as travelers explore beyond the traditional Silk Road routes.

Sources

drivemagazine.sk · hamuesgyemant.hu · timesca.com · travelandtourworld.com