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Uzbekistan is setting an ambitious agenda to rapidly expand its tourism industry as part of a comprehensive growth strategy. Under the guidance of Abdulaziz Akkulov, Chairman of the Republic’s Tourism Committee, this plan seeks to enhance economic performance and elevate Uzbekistan’s global standing as a sought-after travel destination by the year 2030.
The strategic plan draws on Presidential Resolution No. RP-348, established in November 2025, which founded the Tourism Committee and laid out concrete milestones for the coming decade. Aimed at boosting the tourism sector’s contribution to Uzbekistan’s GDP to 7%, attracting 20 million international visitors annually, and increasing tourism service exports to over USD 6 billion, this roadmap is designed to stimulate robust growth.
As part of its growth strategy, Uzbekistan emphasizes the crucial role of infrastructure development in enhancing its tourism potential. The Tourism Committee has implemented a structured project management methodology that integrates attraction enhancement, infrastructure improvement, business engagement, promotional activities, and visitor experience into a cohesive growth framework. This holistic approach ensures that the surge in visitor numbers aligns with improved service standards and a rich variety of offerings, fostering sustainable tourism growth.
Master plans are underway for 34 key tourism sites, with 31 new facilities under construction to broaden Uzbekistan’s appeal beyond its famed Silk Road landmarks. Projects like the innovative Kipchak Fishing Village in Karakalpakstan demonstrate efforts to diversify tourism and spur regional economic growth. Specialized units operating under the Tourism Committee will manage infrastructure enhancements and tourism product innovations, ensuring alignment with national economic objectives.
This year, the government is mobilizing close to 950 billion Uzbek soums to enhance transport networks, public utilities, sanitation facilities, and communal areas, while also improving access to emerging tourist destinations. Concurrently, it is anticipated that the accommodation sector will expand to feature 8,250 properties offering 95,000 rooms, preparing Uzbekistan to satisfy growing domestic and international demands.
These infrastructure enhancements aim not only to enrich the visitor experience but also to drive sector growth, create employment opportunities in hospitality, construction, and services, and generate significant knock-on effects across related industries such as dining, entertainment, and transit. By fortifying the tourism sector, Uzbekistan is advancing its economic diversification strategy.
Uzbekistan is adeptly responding to shifting global travel trends, focusing on immersive experiences that cater to modern tourists’ interests in culture, gastronomy, and nature. To capitalize on these trends, the country is actively promoting niche segments like ecotourism, ethnography-focused tourism, pilgrimage travel, medical tourism, sports events, and MICE tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions). This multi-faceted approach positions Uzbekistan as a diverse travel destination.
This diversification strategy is designed to economically benefit lesser-known regions while distributing growth more equitably beyond prominent sites such as Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. By aligning product development with international visitor wants, Uzbekistan enhances the resilience of its tourism sector and ensures sustainable progress.
Strengthening its international visibility is a core component of Uzbekistan’s strategic growth plan. The country has expanded collaborations with prominent global travel platforms such as Expedia Group, Amadeus, and Trip.com. These partnerships serve to broaden distribution channels, streamline booking processes, and enhance marketing efforts.
Familiarization trips for foreign tour operators and media from key markets including the UK, US, and Australia are being organized to attract discerning travelers. These initiatives not only elevate Uzbekistan’s international profile but also play a pivotal role in stimulating tourism sector growth by boosting visitor numbers, increasing length of stay, and enhancing average spending.
Preliminary indicators reveal that the reforms are effectively fostering growth in the tourism sector. In the first four months of 2026, Uzbekistan welcomed an impressive 4 million international visitors, marking a significant 30% increase from the previous year. Furthermore, tourism exports have soared to USD 1.6 billion, highlighting the sector’s increasing contribution to the national economy. Domestic travel continues to thrive, with millions of internal trips ensuring steady demand throughout seasonal fluctuations.
These promising early results underscore how strategic investments, improved infrastructure, and product diversification can enhance the economic impact of the tourism sector, generating employment opportunities and bolstering allied industries.
Looking forward, Uzbekistan’s tourism reforms are poised to transform the sector into a pivotal contributor to national economic growth. With aspirations to integrate rising visitor numbers, expanded service exports, and increased accommodation capacity by 2030, the government is laying the groundwork for significant elevations in GDP contribution. The emphasis on sustainable and diversified development ensures that the benefits of growth are felt nationwide, nurturing local businesses and enhancing competitiveness on the global stage.
The synergy of infrastructural investment, innovative institutional practices, and international partnerships positions Uzbekistan for substantial tourism sector growth. By appealing to a wide range of travelers and fostering long-term economic resilience, the tourism industry is set to evolve into a key pillar of Uzbekistan’s economy.
Through strategic investments, infrastructure enhancements, diversification of offerings, and forging international partnerships, Uzbekistan aims to cultivate sustainable tourism growth. The integration of these strategic initiatives underscores the significant impact of the tourism sector on the economy, job creation, and exports.
In tune with evolving travel trends, Uzbekistan’s focus on luxury experiences, immersive activities, and specialized tourism sectors presents a solid framework for future success. The vision for 2030 illustrates the tourism sector’s potential not merely as an aspiration but as a strategic roadmap for economic progress.
Source: The post Uzbekistan Unveils Tourism Reforms to Drive Sector Growth, Targeting Twenty Million Visitors and Seven Percent GDP Contribution by 2030 Through Strategic Investments first appeared on www.travelandtourworld.com.
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