Uzbekistan aims for 20 million international visitors by 2030

Uzbekistan has placed tourism at the heart of its long-term economic plans, setting a target of attracting 20 million international visitors a year by 2030 under its updated Uzbekistan 2030 roadmap. The strategy positions tourism as a key driver of investment, employment, and international profile, with the government aiming to double the sector’s contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) from around 3.5% to 7% by the end of the decade.

The ambition is underpinned by strong recent performance. According to UN Tourism data, Uzbekistan ranked among the world’s seven fastest-growing tourism destinations in 2025. International arrivals between January and September 2025 were up 73% compared with the same period in 2019, significantly outperforming the global recovery rate of around 5%. Growth has also remained consistent year on year, with arrivals rising 13% in the first nine months of 2025 compared with 2024.

National statistics point to record results. More than 10.7 million foreign tourists visited Uzbekistan in the first 11 months of 2025, while tourism exports exceeded US$4.4 billion. Monthly arrivals surpassed one million from April onwards, indicating sustained demand rather than a short-term rebound. By 2030, the goal is to increase tourism export revenues to at least $6 billion, supported by higher-value products and longer stays.

Infrastructure investment is central to the plan, including improved transport links, more domestic flights, and expanded accommodation capacity, with a focus on four- and five-star hotels. Alongside the country’s iconic Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, authorities are promoting eco-tourism, gastronomy, and rural travel to spread the benefits more widely and ease pressure on the UNESCO sites.

Visa liberalisation, expanded air connectivity, and digital marketing are already reshaping Uzbekistan’s global profile. With arrivals now exceeding 11 million annually, the push towards 20 million by 2030 signals confidence in a growth model that balances volume, quality, and sustainability.

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