Uzbekistan has set a new milestone for its rapidly expanding tourism sector, announcing plans to welcome 12 million foreign visitors in 2026. The target was unveiled at the 7th Hotel Business Forum 2026 in Tashkent, where authorities highlighted ongoing investments in infrastructure, regional diversification, and digital transformation to support continued growth, Tashkent Today reports.
The announcement builds on the country’s strong post-pandemic recovery and aligns with its broader ambition to position tourism as a key pillar of economic development.
🚠🇺🇿 Construction of a new cable car system has begun at #SilkRoad #Samarkand — enhancing accessibility & boosting the region’s tourism appeal.🌍✨
— Uzbektourism.uz (@Uzbek_Tourism) February 19, 2026
🔗 https://t.co/FfC9egB5IG#VisitUzbekistan #Tourism #Infrastructure #Innovation pic.twitter.com/nhsL7c0IIM
Infrastructure expansion and regional diversification
Significant efforts have already been made to increase accommodation capacity across the country. According to the Tourism Committee, 1,023 new accommodation facilities have opened in recent years, including hotels, hostels, and family-run guesthouses.
Uzbekistan now offers a total of 6,921 accommodation facilities, providing around 185,600 beds nationwide. This expansion is designed to accommodate rising visitor numbers while improving service quality and regional accessibility.
At the same time, the country is shifting its tourism strategy beyond the traditional Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. Authorities are increasingly promoting emerging destinations such as Kashkadarya, and Karakalpakstan, and the Fergana Valley, encouraging visitors to explore a broader range of cultural and natural experiences.
Digital innovation key to 2030 tourism ambitions
Digitalisation is emerging as a central pillar of Uzbekistan’s long-term tourism strategy. Authorities are increasingly integrating artificial intelligence and smart technologies to enhance personalised travel experiences, optimise visitor flows, and improve service delivery across the sector.
This digital transformation is seen as a key enabler in reaching the country’s ambition of attracting 20 million international tourists annually by 2030, as outlined in the national development roadmap.
Domestic tourism continues to support this growth. In 2025, Uzbek citizens made more than 23.7 million trips under the “Travel Uzbekistan” programme, helping to raise service standards and strengthen the sector’s overall resilience.
As reported by Travel Tomorrow, Uzbekistan has already positioned itself among the fastest-growing tourism destinations worldwide. International arrivals exceeded nearly reacged 11 million in 2025, while tourism revenues surpassed USD 4.4 billion.
With sustained investment, diversification, and a strong focus on digital innovation, Uzbekistan is consolidating its position as a competitive and increasingly sophisticated destination on the global tourism market.
