Uzbekistan Outpaces Global Tourism Growth
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is rapidly strengthening its position in the global tourism market, ranking among the world’s top countries for growth in international tourist arrivals.
Uzbekistan has entered the global Top 7 countries with the fastest growth in international tourist arrivals, according to the World Tourism Barometer published by the World Tourism Organization for January–September 2025.
The report shows that international visitor numbers to Uzbekistan increased by 73% compared to the pre-pandemic level of 2019, highlighting the country’s growing role in global tourism.
Strong results were also recorded at the European regional level. In the UN Tourism ranking, Uzbekistan placed second among European countries in terms of tourist growth relative to 2019. During the first nine months of 2025, the number of foreign visitors rose by 13% year-on-year, placing the country among the top four fastest-growing destinations in the region.
While global international travel increased by an average of 5% over the same period, Uzbekistan’s performance stands out and reflects the effectiveness of its long-term tourism development policies.
In 2025, the country set new records: more than 10.7 million foreign tourists visited Uzbekistan in the first 11 months of the year, and since April monthly tourist arrivals have exceeded one million for the first time. Revenue from the export of tourism services surpassed USD 4.4 billion.
Experts attribute this growth to visa liberalization, improved transport connectivity, and active international promotion. Alongside traditional historical centers such as Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, eco-tourism and gastronomic tourism are gaining popularity, confirming Uzbekistan’s transition from a regional destination to a strong player in global tourism.
The report shows that international visitor numbers to Uzbekistan increased by 73% compared to the pre-pandemic level of 2019, highlighting the country’s growing role in global tourism.
Strong results were also recorded at the European regional level. In the UN Tourism ranking, Uzbekistan placed second among European countries in terms of tourist growth relative to 2019. During the first nine months of 2025, the number of foreign visitors rose by 13% year-on-year, placing the country among the top four fastest-growing destinations in the region.
While global international travel increased by an average of 5% over the same period, Uzbekistan’s performance stands out and reflects the effectiveness of its long-term tourism development policies.
In 2025, the country set new records: more than 10.7 million foreign tourists visited Uzbekistan in the first 11 months of the year, and since April monthly tourist arrivals have exceeded one million for the first time. Revenue from the export of tourism services surpassed USD 4.4 billion.
Experts attribute this growth to visa liberalization, improved transport connectivity, and active international promotion. Alongside traditional historical centers such as Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, eco-tourism and gastronomic tourism are gaining popularity, confirming Uzbekistan’s transition from a regional destination to a strong player in global tourism.
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