Uzbekistan Ranks Among the World’s Top Seven Countries for Growth in Tourist Arrivals

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — According to data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) published in the World Tourism Barometer, Uzbekistan ranked among the seven countries worldwide with the fastest growth in inbound tourist arrivals in January–September 2025.

Analytical figures show that the number of international tourists visiting Uzbekistan during the reporting period increased by 73 percent compared with the pre-pandemic level of 2019. This result reflects the country’s steadily strengthening position in the global tourism landscape and the high momentum of sectoral development.

Uzbekistan’s strong performance has also been recognized within the European Region. According to the UN Tourism ranking, the country placed second among European Region states in terms of growth in tourist arrivals relative to 2019.

In the first nine months of 2025, the inflow of foreign tourists rose by 13 percent compared with the same period in 2024, enabling Uzbekistan to enter the top four tourist destinations in the region with the highest growth rates.

The UN Tourism report notes that global international travel increased on average by 5 percent in January–September 2025, indicating that global tourism has entered a phase of sustainable post-pandemic recovery. Against this backdrop, Uzbekistan’s indicators demonstrate above-average growth and the effectiveness of the government’s tourism policy.

In 2025, the country set a number of new records. Over the first eleven months, Uzbekistan welcomed more than 10.7 million foreign visitors, while from April onward the monthly tourist flow exceeded one million people for the first time in the country’s history. Revenues from exports of tourism services surpassed US$4.4 billion, reflecting not only recovery but also sustained growth of the sector.

The expansion of tourism activity has been driven by a comprehensive set of measures, including the expansion of visa-free and simplified visa regimes, improved transport accessibility, and the active promotion of the country’s tourism potential in international markets. The number of hotels, tourism companies, and industry professionals has increased significantly, strengthening infrastructure and enhancing Uzbekistan’s competitiveness as a tourist destination.

Alongside traditional historical centers such as Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, eco-tourism, gastronomic tourism, and event tourism are gaining increasing popularity. The growing number of visitors from distant markets indicates that Uzbekistan is moving beyond a primarily regional focus and consolidating its position within the global tourism system.

The achievements reflected in the UN Tourism Barometer provide a solid foundation and favorable prospects for the country’s continued sustainable development of the tourism industry.