At a government meeting on January 15, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized the need to link cultural projects with tourism development objectives.
It was noted that in 2025, the number of tourists visiting Uzbekistan exceeded 11 million, exports of tourism services reached $4.8 billion, and the number of countries whose citizens are eligible for visa-free travel to Uzbekistan increased to 94.
At the same time, the tourism sector needs to switch to a project management system, introduce a unified mechanism for creating and developing tourism products, and strengthen the coordination of major events.
Particular attention was paid to the digitalization of the industry. The task has been set to launch a National Tourism Platform with the integration of state and private information systems, the introduction of proactive digital services for tourists and entrepreneurs, the expansion of cashless payments, and the analysis of tourist flows. It was noted that digitalisation is expected to reduce the share of the shadow economy and increase annual tourism revenue.
The President emphasized the need to implement a new marketing strategy to promote the country’s tourism potential in priority markets – the U.S., the Persian Gulf countries, India, China, and Scandinavia. Tasks were set to expand Uzbekistan’s presence on international tourism platforms, develop digital content, and attract major media outlets and opinion leaders.
The meeting reviewed projects for major cultural facilities.
The Samarkand Heritage Trail project is being launched in Samarkand. A single tourist route stretching 6.6 kilometers will connect the Registan ensemble, the Bibi-Khanum and Shahi-Zinda complexes, and the Mirzo Ulughbek observatory.
A project for a new Silk Road museum in Samarkand has been presented, which involves the construction of a modern three-story building with a total area of 19,500 square meters, featuring an inclusive environment, exhibition halls, and educational spaces.
A master plan for the city of Bukhara was also presented, which provides for the creation of a comfortable urban environment, the development of transport and tourist infrastructure, and the creation of a historical and ethnographic park as a multifunctional complex with a congress hall, amphitheater, library, food court, retail and commercial facilities, and a high-class hotel.
