Uzbekistan has stepped up efforts to attract Southeast Asian pilgrims by showcasing its “Umrah Plus” pilgrimage tourism program at a media briefing in Kuala Lumpur, held with the support of the Uzbek Embassy.
The event gathered representatives from the Uzbekistan Pilgrimage Association, Uzbekistan Airways, Malaysia’s leading tourism bodies — including MATTA, Bumitra and PAPUH — along with local tour operators and media, The Caspian Post reported via Uzbek media.
Attendees were briefed on Uzbekistan’s ongoing reforms to expand pilgrimage tourism and plans to raise the number of pilgrims from Malaysia and Indonesia to 100,000 in 2026–2027. The presentation highlighted improved facilities for pilgrims and incentives designed to encourage tour operators in the sector.
Organizers also introduced participants to Uzbekistan’s major cultural and religious centers, notably Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara, which are central to Islamic civilization. Special focus was placed on the Center for Islamic Civilization and the Imam al-Bukhari Memorial Complex, established at the initiative of the country’s president.
A key outcome of the briefing was the signing of a cooperation memorandum between Uzbekistan’s Umrah Pilgrimage Association and MATTA, formally launching joint projects under the “Umrah Plus” program. Among the agreements is the organization of an international pilgrimage tourism exhibition in both Malaysia and Uzbekistan in June 2026.
MATTA Deputy Chairman Jeffri Sulaiman described the memorandum as a historic step toward expanding pilgrimage tourism and systematically promoting Uzbekistan among Malaysian travelers. The first-ever international “Umrah Plus and Pilgrimage Tourism” exhibition is set to take place in Kuala Lumpur from June 21 to 23, 2026.
Malaysian tour operator Abdul Rahim bin Abdullah noted that several groups had already traveled to Uzbekistan in 2025, pointing to strong interest in the country’s heritage, sacred sites and well-developed infrastructure for pilgrims.
With direct flights operating eight times a week between the two countries, officials said connectivity is helping drive momentum. The new agreements are expected to position Uzbekistan as a growing hub for pilgrimage tourism while deepening tourism cooperation with Malaysia.
