Uzbekistan boosts tourism with family travel days, youth initiatives
Government dedicates monthly weekends to domestic travel, expands support for tourism sector growth
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (MNTV) – Uzbekistan is introducing new measures to boost tourism, including designating one Saturday and Sunday each month for citizens to travel with family and work teams, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced during an April 9 video conference focused on tourism development and foreign investment.
The initiative aims to encourage more domestic travel among citizens, especially to key cultural heritage sites such as Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, and Shakhrisabz. Despite a surge in domestic tourism from 5 million in 2017 to 23 million in recent years, many Uzbek families have yet to explore the country’s historical landmarks.
As part of the push, the government will allocate 20 billion Uzbek soums ($1.5 million) annually to promote internal tourism. A new youth initiative will also reward competition winners with “Travel Around Uzbekistan” tickets, offering young people greater opportunities to explore the nation.
Officials were tasked with developing additional tourism segments, including adventure and extreme tourism, to diversify offerings and attract younger and more active travelers.
Alongside domestic efforts, Uzbekistan continues to court foreign visitors through simplified visa policies, expanded tourism infrastructure, and international events.
In 2023 alone, 508 tourism-related projects worth 9.5 trillion Uzbek soums ($730 million) were launched, generating nearly 9,500 jobs. The country added 183 hotels and 232 hostels, raising the total number of accommodation facilities to 5,526. Family-run guest houses also grew to 3,458 nationwide.
Tourism businesses have likewise expanded, with 810 new organizations and agencies established last year. Uzbekistan now boasts 2,649 registered travel companies.
The combined efforts appear to be paying off. Inbound tourism has seen strong growth, with foreign tourist arrivals increasing from 2.7 million in 2017 to 6.6 million in 2023—more than double in six years and a 30% increase from 2022.
By strengthening domestic travel culture and expanding the tourism industry’s infrastructure, Uzbekistan aims to solidify its position as both a regional travel hub and a destination that fosters national pride through cultural exploration.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
