Uzbekistan and Russia Strengthen Tourism Ties

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A Tashkent–Moscow video conference titled “Magic of the East: Uzbekistan and Russia Launch a New Tourism Season” was held at the Sputnik Uzbekistan multimedia press center.

The event brought together Aziz Mirdzhalilov, Head of Marketing Policy at the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan, and Artur Muradyan, Vice President of the Russian Association of Tour Operators for International Tourism.

During the discussions, both sides reviewed key trends in the tourism market, the growing interest in Uzbekistan from Russian travelers, and prospects for expanding bilateral cooperation.

According to Muradyan, Uzbekistan is steadily solidifying its position as one of the most sought-after destinations in Central Asia. Tour operators are actively preparing summer travel packages, coordinating with airlines to ensure stable flight connections, which creates conditions for further growth in tourist numbers.

He noted that shifts in the international tourism market, including decreased interest in some Middle Eastern destinations, provide additional opportunities for regional countries. Part of this demand is expected to shift to alternative routes, including Uzbekistan and other CIS nations.

Aziz Mirdzhalilov emphasized that Russia remains a key tourism market for Uzbekistan. In 2024, over 800,000 Russian citizens visited Uzbekistan, and in 2025, this number approached one million. During January–February 2026 alone, approximately 125,000 Russian tourists traveled to the country, demonstrating steady positive growth.

Improved transport accessibility has further boosted tourism, with nearly 500 weekly flights between the two countries, making travel logistics more convenient and comfortable.

The discussion also highlighted the development of new tourism sectors. Uzbekistan is actively promoting medical and wellness tourism, along with so-called “vitamin tourism,” focused on health restoration through natural products and favorable climate.

Participants concluded that, if current trends continue and joint initiatives are implemented consistently, tourist flows between Uzbekistan and Russia are expected to keep growing.