Tourist arrivals from Uzbekistan to Malaysia rise 62%

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Malaysia welcomed 16,283 tourists from Uzbekistan in January-June 2026, a 62% increase from the same period last year, when 10,054 arrivals were recorded, Tourism Malaysia said.

Uzbekistan has become one of Malaysia’s fastest-growing tourism markets in Central Asia. Overall, Malaysia received 53,347 tourists from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan during the first six months of 2026, up 23.3% from 43,280 arrivals recorded during the same period in 2025.

In addition to Uzbekistan, tourist arrivals from Tajikistan increased significantly, rising 60.2% from 1,330 to 2,131. Kazakhstan remained Malaysia’s largest market in the region, with arrivals increasing 11.8% from 23,527 to 26,296. A total of 4,168 tourists arrived from Kyrgyzstan, compared with 3,666 a year earlier, representing a 13.7% increase. Malaysia also recorded 4,469 arrivals from Turkmenistan during the first six months of 2026.

Tourism Malaysia attributed the growing interest in Malaysia partly to cultural ties and the country’s appeal to Muslim travelers. Malaysia has developed halal infrastructure, a wide range of halal cuisine, as well as mosques and prayer facilities.

Air connectivity is another factor supporting the growth. Kuala Lumpur has direct flights to Tashkent and Almaty. In July 2026, Batik Air increased the frequency of flights between Tashkent and Kuala Lumpur, while Uzbekistan Airways plans to add more flights on the route from October.

“Central Asia is an important and increasingly dynamic market for Malaysia,” said Nor Shazli Azmi, director of Tourism Malaysia Almaty. According to him, the growth in tourist arrivals is accompanied by increasing awareness of Malaysia across the region.

The increase in travel is taking place amid the international Visit Malaysia 2026-2027 tourism campaign. The initiative promotes not only well-known attractions but also Malaysia’s various states, new tourism destinations and leisure opportunities.

Nor Shazli Azmi said Central Asian travelers are increasingly choosing destinations that allow them to combine city breaks, culture, gastronomy, beaches, natural attractions, shopping and family entertainment in a single trip.

Tourism Malaysia expects rising tourist arrivals and expanded air connectivity to further strengthen tourism ties between Malaysia and Central Asian countries.