Uzbekistan, with its rich cultural heritage, historical sites, and stunning natural landscapes, is committed to advancing its tourism sector. The "Uzbekistan – 2030" Strategy aims to boost the number of tourists by creating favorable conditions for both international and domestic tourism.
Uzbekistan achieved 98% of its pre-pandemic foreign tourist numbers. In 2019, the country welcomed 6.748 million foreign tourists, and by 2023, this figure was 6.626 million, illustrating a swift recovery.
To attract more foreign tourists, Uzbekistan has implemented several practical measures such as simplifying the visa regime, developing new tourism routes, investing in relevant projects, and hosting significant events. For instance, in 2023, a total of 508 projects worth 9.5 trillion soums were executed, resulting in the creation of 9,492 new jobs. 183 new hotels and 232 hostels were launched, and the total number of accommodation facilities reached 5,526. Additionally, 452 family guest houses were established, bringing the total number to 3,458. As a result of opening 810 new tourist organizations and travel agencies, the total number of such entities has increased to 2,649.
From 2017 to 2023, the number of foreign tourists visiting Uzbekistan has significantly increased. Specifically, in 2017, the country was visited by 2.7 million people, whereas in 2023, this figure rose to 6.6 million, which is 2.5 times more than in 2017 and 1.3 times more than in 2022.
The number of tourists from Japan increased fivefold in 2023, while those from India and Italy increased by 3.5 times, and from the USA by two times. In 2023, 80.7% of foreign tourists came from neighboring countries, 11.5% from other CIS countries, and 7.8% from other countries. The average length of stay for tourists increased to 4-5 days, which is 1.5 times more than in 2022 (3 days). This indicates that all necessary conditions for a comfortable stay of tourists have been created in the country.
Domestic tourism is also developing rapidly. Within the framework of the "Travel around Uzbekistan!" program, 15 million people traveled around the country, making 21 million visits to various regions. As part of social support, 1 100 people with disabilities and 570,000 young people were sent on trips.
In 2023, the export of tourist services amounted to $2.1435 billion, which is 1.3 times more than in 2022. Additionally, about 70,000 new jobs were created in the tourism and related sectors. This indicates that all necessary conditions for tourists have been created in the country, which contributes to economic growth and improved living standards.
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