Over 5.352 million international tourists arrived in Uzbekistan during the first five months of 2026. More than 1.3 million foreign tourists visited Uzbekistan in May alone, according to the country’s Tourism Committee.
This represents an increase of 1.148 million visitors, or 27.3 percent, compared to the same period last year. The sustained growth highlights Uzbekistan’s emergence as one of the fastest-growing tourism destinations in Central Asia.
During this period, Uzbekistan’s tourism service exports amounted to USD 2.244 billion. This underscores the growing contribution of the tourism sector to foreign currency earnings, the expansion of the service economy, and employment generation across the country.
In recent years, large-scale reforms have been implemented in Uzbekistan to accelerate the development of the tourism sector, which is regarded as one of the country’s strategic economic sectors and an important driver of growth.
To increase tourism’s contribution to GDP, create new jobs, and boost economic activity across the regions, visa procedures have been significantly simplified. Citizens of many countries now benefit from visa-free travel, while the country’s e-visa system has been substantially expanded. These measures have made travel to Uzbekistan more convenient and enhanced the country’s competitiveness in the international tourism market.
Particular emphasis has been placed on promoting Uzbekistan’s rich cultural and historical heritage, as well as the potential of pilgrimage, ecological, gastronomic, medical, and mountain tourism. The national tourism brand is actively promoted through international media outlets, tourism exhibitions, trade fairs, and digital platforms.
