Tourism and Culture

As a result of the increased attention paid to the tourism sector in recent years for the further development of tourism infrastructure, large-scale work is being carried out in Uzbekistan aimed at creating favorable conditions for local and foreign guests and business entities working in this area.

In particular, there has been a significant increase in the range of services and high service potential in the tourism and accommodation sectors.

It is known that in this regard, approved the "Regulations on the procedure for certification of tourism services and classification of objects in the tourism industry." In accordance with the requirements of this Regulation, the introduction of certification has yielded effective results.

It should be noted that if the old system of certification of travel services did not justify itself, then for many years travel services could not meet the quality and safety standards. Travel services have been certified in old ways based on standards that do not meet international standards.

In this, the Center has established a technical committee for standardization in the area of ​​tourism services. To date, the Technical Committee has developed 14 state standards that meet international requirements, and in recent years, the safety and quality of services provided in the premises certified on their basis have significantly increased.

A mobile application has also been developed, consisting of text and audio materials for accommodation staff to help develop basic hotel service skills, support hospitality representatives and improve service quality.

In particular, the preparation and presentation of videos for the general public and representatives of the industry is carried out in the form of special master classes on types of housekeeping, reseption and waiter service.

Currently, the Center has two certification bodies that carry out systematic work in this area.

Uzbekistan has ratified 4 UNESCO Conventions in this area.

The historical centers of the cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and Shakhrisabz are included in the World Heritage List, Shoshmakom, Navruz, the Boysun cultural environment, samples of cultural heritage - Askia, Katta ashula, the culture and tradition of Plov, Margilan craft school - the technology of making atlas and adras - in the representative UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Also, the Koran of Usman, a collection of manuscripts of the Institute of Oriental Studies named after Abu Raikhon Beruni, documents of the office of the Khiva Khanate are included in the "World Memory" program. 

The Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On Tourism" No. LRU-549 of July 18, 2019 was adopted. 

By Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. UP-5611 dated 05.01.2019 “On additional measures for the accelerated development of tourism in the Republic of Uzbekistan”, the concept of development of the tourism sector in the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2019-2025 was approved.

On July 27, 2023, Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. DP-114 “On measures for the effective organization of public administration in the field of culture and tourism within the framework of administrative reforms” was signed.

Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. DP-87 of May 15, 2025, “On measures to increase the role and importance of tourism in the economy by sharply increasing the flow of tourists and rapidly expanding the sphere of tourism services in 2025-2026” was adopted.

By Resolution No.RP-348 of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated November 11, 2025, "On measures to organize the activities of the Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan and accelerate the development of the tourism sector," a "Roadmap for accelerated tourism development and improvement of public administration in this sector" was approved. 

In 2025, the number of tourists exceeded 11 million, tourists from 200 countries visiting the country, exports of tourism services reached $4.8 billion, and the number of countries whose citizens are eligible for visa-free travel increased to 94. Our country is implementing a new marketing strategy to promote its tourism potential in priority markets such as the United States, the Persian Gulf countries, India, China, and Scandinavia. Uzbekistan's participation in international tourism platforms is expanding, digital content is being developed, and major media outlets and opinion leaders are being engaged.





 

Uzbekistan has been consistently strengthening its positions in international cultural arena over the past years. The 43rd session of UNESCO General Conference has been successfully held in Samarkand with the participation of over 3 thousand delegates from 190 countries. As a result a “road map” on the practical implementation of Uzbekistan’s initiatives in the sphere of preserving cultural heritage, education and creative industries was adopted.

The Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. LRU-668 “On cultural activities and cultural organizations” dated January 20, 2021 was adopted.

The first Biennial of Contemporary Art was held in Bukhara. Over a period of 70 days, 14 restored cultural heritage sites were used on an area of 3.5 hectares. The biennale was attended by 70 artists and curators from more than 40 countries. The event was visited by about 1.8 million people, including over 100 high-ranking foreign guests. Uzbekistan's participation in the Venice Biennale on a permanent basis since 2021 has ensured an increase in tourist flow from Italy and the expansion of international professional contacts.

The Samarkand Heritage Trail project is being launched in Samarkand. A single tourist route stretching 6.6 kilometers will connect the Registan ensemble, the Bibi-Khanum and Shahi-Zinda complexes, and the Mirzo Ulughbek observatory.

Resolution No.265 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated March 30, 2019 approved the Regulation "On the approval of certain regulatory legal acts on the protection of tangible cultural heritage sites and their use." 

Resolution No.PP-399 of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan of November 22, 2024 "On measures to enhance the role of theaters in the cultural life of society and further support for their activities".