Uzbekistan, ADB expand cooperation in tourism sector

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have discussed expanding cooperation in the tourism sector, focusing on infrastructure modernization, improved connectivity, and regional integration. The talks were held in Samarkand between the Chairman of the Uzbekistan Tourism Committee, Abdulaziz Akkulov, and ADB Vice President Yingming Yang.

The participants noted the systematic nature of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the ADB, emphasizing that the country’s tourism development strategy aligns with the bank’s priorities, particularly in infrastructure modernization, transport connectivity, and strengthening regional integration.

According to the Uzbek side, tourism has become one of the key drivers of the national economy in recent years. Visa-free access has been introduced for citizens of 95 countries, while the number of incoming foreign tourists increased from 2.7 million in 2017 to 11.7 million in 2025.

At present, Uzbekistan is implementing a short-term tourism development program for 2026–2027, which includes the creation of 40,000 jobs, as well as a long-term strategy titled “Tourism Vision 2040.”

During the meeting, the sides identified priority areas for further cooperation. These include the modernization of border infrastructure and the introduction of digital solutions to ensure seamless tourist mobility, the development of the UN Tourism Silk Road Office in Samarkand as a regional coordination platform, and the preparation of master plans for tourism areas covering more than 9,000 hectares to create investment-attractive projects.

Following the talks, both sides confirmed their readiness to move from individual projects toward more comprehensive cooperation aimed at building a sustainable and integrated tourism ecosystem in the region.