DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM RELATIONS BETWEEN UZBEKISTAN AND CIS COUNTRIES: DYNAMICS AND PROSPECTS

According to statistics for January–August 2024 and 2025, there has been a steady increase in the total number of tourists visiting Uzbekistan, from 6.7 million to over 7.5 million, with an annual growth rate of 15-20%. By the end of 2025, the arrival of over 11 million foreign tourists is projected.

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan remain the most significant sources of tourists among the CIS countries. In 2024, Kazakhstan sent over 2.1 million tourists to Uzbekistan from January to August, Kyrgyzstan sent approximately 1.78 million, and Tajikistan sent almost 1.6 million. In 2025, Kyrgyzstan slightly outspent Kazakhstan in terms of visitor numbers—2.16 million versus 1.77 million—demonstrating a positive trend in strengthening bilateral tourism ties. Tajikistan also showed growth, with almost 1.7 million tourists.

Besides the traditional leaders, the number of tourists from Turkmenistan increased significantly from January to August, from 125,000 in 2024 to 243,000 in 2025. This growth confirms Uzbekistan's growing attractiveness as a tourist destination for all neighboring countries.

CIS countries with smaller tourist numbers, such as Azerbaijan, Belarus, Moldova, Armenia, Ukraine, and Russia, also reported positive trends. Particularly noteworthy is the increase in Russian tourist arrivals between January and August, from 587,000 in 2024 to over 663,000 in 2025, reflecting the strengthening of tourism and cultural ties between the two countries.

The growth in tourist arrivals from the CIS is largely due to Uzbekistan's comprehensive efforts to improve infrastructure, simplify visa procedures, and actively promote tourism brands. The development of transport links, the introduction of modern services, and the expansion of the range of tourism products are making Uzbekistan increasingly attractive to visitors from neighboring countries.

Uzbekistan is the historical center and pearl of the Great Silk Road, a crossroads of world cultures and civilizations. The country boasts over 8,000 cultural heritage sites, 209 of which are part of four UNESCO World Heritage City Museums.

The magnificent monuments of the ancient cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva attract numerous tourists eager to explore the region's rich heritage. Samarkand, the ancient capital of the empire of the great commander Amir Temur, is home to the magnificent Registan complex, the Ulugh Beg observatory, and the Imam al-Bukhari complex, a landmark for Muslims. The fabulous city of Bukhara, renowned throughout the Islamic world for its Bahauddin Naqshbandi complex, the Ark fortress, and the Poi-Kalyan complex. Khiva, the capital of the Khorezmshah Empire, boasts the open-air museum city of Ichan-Kala. And of course, the city of Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Amir Temur, who built the Oq-Saroy palace there.

The capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, is the geographic center and largest hub of Central Asia, a bridge between East and West. Tourists can experience a truly unique and exciting experience in Tashkent, which boasts numerous interesting sights, including modern and ancient Eastern architecture. Uzbekistan boasts not only historical cities but also a vast array of natural attractions: the picturesque mountains of the Western Tien Shan and Pamir-Alay, mysterious caves, the endless Kyzylkum Desert, numerous lakes, the Ustyurt Plateau, and the Aral Sea in Karakalpakstan.

It's worth noting that Uzbekistan ranks highly in global tourism rankings for safety, historical attractions, family tourism, gastronomy, and more. Tourist police operate in all tourist centers across the country, ensuring that foreign visitors feel safe and secure at all times. Furthermore, over the past 10 years, there have been no incidents related to tourist safety in Uzbekistan that could negatively impact its tourism image.

Youth tourism is receiving significant attention in the country, with special tours offering historical themes, ecotourism, extreme tourism, and industrial tourism, including visits to various industrial facilities, which also serve as career guidance for young people.

The Uzbek government has designated several areas with high tourism potential as free tourism zones, created specifically for businesses operating in the tourism sector. Conditions have been created to attract foreign investment in the tourism sector. To encourage investors, Various incentives have been introduced for the hotel sector, construction of tourist complexes, and infrastructure. Business representatives from CIS countries are the most active investors, establishing both enterprises with 100% foreign investment and joint ventures in the tourism industry of Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan invites Russian investors to actively participate in joint projects in the tourist zones of Charvak, Chimgan, Nanai, Baysun, Maidanak, Miraki, Parkent, Akhangaran, Angren, Akchakul, Tudaqul, Aydarkul, and others.

The development of tourism with CIS countries is becoming not only a factor in economic growth but also an important element in strengthening interstate relations, cultural exchange, and friendship between peoples. The growth of tourist flow contributes to the creation of new jobs, the development of small and medium-sized businesses, and an improvement in the standard of living of the population.

The prospects for the further development of tourism ties between Uzbekistan and the CIS countries look very promising. Strengthening cooperation, sharing experiences, and implementing innovative solutions will make the region one of the most attractive and dynamically developing tourist destinations in Eurasia. The Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan is ready to support the tourism industries of our countries in implementing joint projects and create all the necessary conditions for comfortable travel for tourists of all categories from the CIS countries.

Head of the Department for Transport and Logistics Development

Shukhrat Isakulov