Uzbekistan has entered the global top seven fastest-growing tourism destinations, marking a major milestone for the country’s travel sector.
Between January and September 2025, international arrivals rose by 73% compared with pre-pandemic levels in 2019, reflecting Uzbekistan’s rapidly strengthening position in global tourism, The Caspian Post reports, citing Uzbek media.
The country’s performance was also notable within Europe, where Uzbekistan ranked second in inbound tourism growth compared with 2019. In the first nine months of 2025 alone, foreign tourist arrivals increased by 13% year-on-year, placing Uzbekistan among the region’s four fastest-growing destinations. Over the same period, global international travel grew by an average of just 5%, highlighting Uzbekistan’s above-average momentum and the impact of its tourism policies.
Uzbekistan also set new national records in 2025. More than 10.7 million foreign tourists visited the country in the first 11 months of the year, with monthly arrivals exceeding one million for the first time since April. Revenue from tourism service exports surpassed $4.4 billion, signaling not just recovery but sustained growth in the sector.
The tourism surge has been fueled by expanded visa-free and simplified visa regimes, improved transport connectivity, and active international promotion. Rapid growth in hotels, tour operators, and trained tourism professionals has further enhanced infrastructure and competitiveness.
Alongside iconic destinations such as Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, new segments including eco-tourism, gastronomy, and event tourism are gaining traction. Growing visitor numbers from distant markets point to Uzbekistan’s expanding reach beyond the region and its deeper integration into the global travel industry.
