Uzbekistan tourism was in the spotlight at the Tashkent International Investment Forum, where new investment opportunities were presented for one of the country’s fastest-growing economic sectors.
Uzbekistan presented new investment opportunities in its tourism sector during the “Investing in Tourism” panel session held at the Tashkent International Investment Forum, TIIF-2026, in Tashkent on 18 June 2026.
The discussion focused on the development of tourism infrastructure, state support mechanisms and prospects for attracting capital to a sector that Uzbekistan has designated as strategic for the national economy.
The session brought together representatives of the international investment and expert communities. Abdulaziz Akkulov, Chairman of the Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan, took part in the discussion, which was moderated by Geordie Greig, Editor-in-Chief of The Independent. His involvement underlined both the international profile of the panel and the growing global interest in the region’s tourism potential.
Uzbekistan tourism shifts towards systemic investment projects
A key focus of the session was the shift from point-based tourism initiatives to systemic investment projects. Participants discussed how tourism can serve as an entry point for the development of entire regions, from hotel infrastructure and resort zones to related services and the urban environment.
Particular attention was paid to segments with faster investment cycles, including hotel development, tourist complexes and infrastructure projects aimed at increasing international tourist flows.
According to the Tourism Development Strategy 2030, Uzbekistan aims to increase the export of tourism services to more than USD 6 billion. The strategy also seeks to raise the average duration of tourist stays to 7–8 days and increase average spending per tourist from the current USD 415 to USD 1,000.
To achieve these goals, efforts are underway to further expand transport connectivity, develop modern hospitality and service infrastructure, and promote high-value tourism segments. These include MICE tourism, gastronomic tourism, ecotourism, pilgrimage tourism, film tourism and luxury tourism.
Government support and investor incentives
Abdulaziz Akkulov said Uzbekistan offers investors not only unique tourism assets and rich cultural and historical heritage, but also a comprehensive system of government support for tourism projects.
“Today, Uzbekistan offers investors not only unique tourism assets and a rich cultural and historical heritage, but also a comprehensive system of government support for tourism projects. We are creating a favourable investment environment through tax incentives, subsidies, preferential financing and public-private partnership mechanisms,” he said.
He added that particular emphasis is being placed on the development of hospitality infrastructure, resort destinations, and pilgrimage, medical, event and active tourism. According to Akkulov, additional incentives are being provided for projects in emerging tourism segments, including adventure tourism and the MICE industry.
“We are confident that the combination of an open investment policy, a strategic geographic location and growing international interest in Uzbekistan will enable our country to strengthen its position as one of the region’s leading tourism destinations and attract new long-term investment into the sector,” he said.
International interest in Uzbekistan tourism grows
The growing interest of international investors in Uzbekistan tourism is being driven by institutional reforms, the expansion of tourism infrastructure and increasing global demand for new travel destinations.
During the panel, participants were presented with Uzbekistan’s competitive advantages in the tourism market, a portfolio of investment projects, public-private partnership mechanisms and promising initiatives aimed at developing tourism across the country’s regions.
The discussion also covered ways to attract foreign direct investment into the tourism sector, expand hospitality and resort infrastructure, promote ecotourism, gastronomic tourism and pilgrimage tourism, and ensure the effective use and sustainable development of cultural heritage sites.
Participants also focused on facilitating the entry of international brands into the Uzbek market, enhancing transport and logistics connectivity, and developing new tourism segments. They emphasised that the favourable investment climate being created in the country, together with government support mechanisms and the rapid growth of the tourism industry, is opening up new opportunities for international investors.
Visitor numbers and tourism exports continue to rise
Tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the global economy, and Uzbekistan is becoming an increasingly active participant in these global trends. In Uzbekistan, tourism has been designated a strategic sector of the economy and continues to demonstrate strong and dynamic growth.
During the first five months of 2026, the country welcomed more than 5.3 million international visitors, representing a 37% increase compared with the same period of the previous year. According to the latest data from the United Nations Tourism Organization, Uzbekistan is among the countries recording the highest growth rates in international tourist arrivals.
This progress has been linked to Uzbekistan’s policy of openness and consistent reforms aimed at advancing the tourism sector. A visa-free regime has been introduced for citizens of 95 countries, an e-visa system is available to nationals of 52 countries, and a visa-free transit regime is in place for 45 countries. Special visa categories have also been introduced for students, researchers, and medical and pilgrimage tourism.
The figures show the scale of the sector’s expansion. In 2017, Uzbekistan welcomed 2.7 million foreign tourists, while by 2025 this number had increased to 11.7 million. Over the same period, tourism exports grew from USD 531 million to USD 4.8 billion.
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Hotel infrastructure expands nationwide
The growth of the sector has been closely linked to the rapid expansion of tourism infrastructure. In recent years, the number of hotels and accommodation facilities in Uzbekistan has increased nearly ninefold, surpassing 7,000 establishments nationwide.
Nearly 30 international hotel brands now operate in Uzbekistan, including Hilton, Marriott International, InterContinental Hotels Group, Radisson Hotel Group, Holiday Inn, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Mercure.
The “Investing in Tourism” panel at TIIF-2026 highlighted Uzbekistan tourism as both a strategic economic sector and a growing investment opportunity, with infrastructure development, regional projects and international partnerships at the centre of the country’s plans.
Participants of the panel session
The session was moderated by Geordie Greig, Editor-in-Chief of The Independent.
The panellists included Abdulaziz Akkulov, Chairman of the Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan; Mario Antonio Ebsim, Boeing Commercial Sales Director for Eurasia and India; Vladimir Zhuykov, Chief Executive Officer of Architectural and Urban Planning Portal LLC; Elena Son-LaRocco, Executive Director of the American-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce; Lyudmila Kuznetsova, Chief Executive Officer of GEODATA PLUS; Nathan Benson, Project Manager at Governful; and Chi Lu, Deputy Chairman of the China Chamber of Tourism under the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce.
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