Tourist Arrivals Are Growing: Euronews on Reforms in Uzbekistan
2026-10-25 10:40:00 / News
According to the publication, Uzbekistan welcomed a record 11.7 million foreign visitors in 2025. According to UN Tourism, international arrivals increased by 37% in the first quarter of 2026, placing Uzbekistan among the five countries with the fastest-growing tourist flows. In the first seven months of this year, more than 7.7 million foreign citizens arrived in the country, up 22.6% compared with the same period last year. Tourism services exports amounted to approximately €3.5 billion.
The article also covers support measures introduced as part of the “Open Tourism — 2026” season. Airlines launching new routes are eligible for a subsidy of €89 per foreign tourist, as well as a 20% discount on airport services. Tour operators, in turn, may receive up to €4,460 for every 1,000 tourists attracted from certain foreign markets. The article also notes that passenger traffic at Samarkand International Airport has tripled since 2022, while the Jaloliddin Manguberdi train has reduced travel time on the Tashkent–Khiva route from 14 hours to 7.5 hours.
Visa liberalisation is also having a significant impact on tourist arrivals: citizens of more than 90 countries can visit Uzbekistan without a visa. In particular, following the introduction of a mutual 30-day visa-free regime with China, the number of tourists arriving from China by the end of 2025 had increased more than sixfold compared with 2023. More than 50 tourist villages and mahallas have been established across the country, and new mountain resorts are being developed.
The publication also highlights Uzbekistan’s tourism development strategy for 2026–2030. Under the strategy, the country aims to increase annual foreign visitor numbers to 20 million, raise tourism’s share of gross domestic product to 7%, and increase tourism services exports to $6 billion.
Foreign tourists quoted in the article praised Uzbekistan’s safety, the good state of preservation of its historical monuments, and the hospitality of its people.