Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The message noted that the country’s policy of openness, the simplification of the visa regime, the expansion of infrastructure and incentives provided to entrepreneurs have given new impetus to the development of the sector. In 2025, the number of foreign tourists visiting Uzbekistan increased almost sixfold compared with 2016, reaching around 12 million, while tourism services exports grew elevenfold to $4.8 billion. At Uzbekistan’s initiative, the UN General Assembly declared 2027 the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism, while UN Tourism included Uzbekistan among the world’s five fastest-growing tourism destinations.

The message also outlined specific targets for 2030: increasing the number of foreign tourists to 20 million annually, raising tourism’s share of GDP to 7 percent, increasing tourism services exports to more than $8 billion, and doubling the number of high-category hotels. To achieve these objectives, an international tourism town will be established in Khiva, Itchan Kala will be transformed into a “smart” museum complex, a Silk Road Museum will be established in Samarkand, and new routes to archaeological sites will be opened in Karakalpakstan. Other priorities include launching a unified national tourism platform and making extensive use of artificial intelligence.

The Head of State emphasised that achieving these ambitious goals will depend above all on tourism industry professionals who consider it their duty to share Uzbekistan’s history and culture with the world.