Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Chairman of Uzbekistan’s Tourism Committee Abdullaziz Akkulov met participants of the regional programme “Young Leaders of Central Asia and Azerbaijan”. The delegation was led by Bobur Bekmurodov, chairman of the Yuksalish Nationwide Movement and head of a committee of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis.
The programme is organised by the Yuksalish movement and Germany’s Konrad Adenauer Foundation. It is being held in Tashkent and Bukhara from 27 to 29 October, bringing together more than 20 young politicians, members of parliament, government officials and public figures from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
At the meeting, participants were briefed on efforts to develop tourism, promote Uzbekistan’s tourism potential internationally, preserve its historical and cultural heritage, and expand economic opportunities in the regions, as well as on the results achieved so far.
The number of foreign tourists visiting Uzbekistan increased from 2 million in 2016 to 11.7 million in 2025. A further 10.3 million foreign tourists visited the country in the first nine months of 2026.
Tourism services exports reached US$5.3 billion.
Tourists arrive from more than 200 countries, while citizens of 95 countries can enter Uzbekistan without a visa. The number of hotels has increased 2.2-fold. The country aims to attract more than 20 million tourists annually by 2030.
Participants discussed improving tourism infrastructure, developing new routes, supporting youth initiatives and increasing tourist flows between Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan. Particular attention was given to potential joint projects based on shared historical and cultural heritage and to expanding regional cooperation.
The meeting also highlighted reforms being implemented under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the development of good-neighbourly relations and regional cooperation based on mutual trust, and the role of young people in these processes.
The meeting took place in an open and friendly atmosphere, with the young leaders receiving answers to their questions directly from the head of the Tourism Committee.
The dialogue gave participants an opportunity to learn about Uzbekistan’s experience and exchange views on prospects for regional cooperation.
