During the first eight months of 2026, Uzbekistan recorded 9.1 million visits by foreign nationals, marking a 21.1% increase from the previous year. Revenue from tourism-related services also rose sharply, reaching $4.6 billion. These figures also include family visits and business travel, not only tourists, notes the Euronews site that shared them on Tuesday, September 15.
In detail, travelers who come mainly to discover the country seem to stay longer and spend more. Oybek Hakimov, adviser to the Tourism Committee, states that average spending has risen to 436 euros per tourist, compared with 170 euros in 2017. The average length of stay is estimated at eight days. “We also see more visitors traveling beyond the classic itinerary of Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva” he adds.
Rapid Growth Far from the Traditional Itineraries
Openings are also reaching lesser-known regions. The Ferghana Valley, the Kachkadaria and the Sourkhan-Daria, as well as Muynak and Nukus, attract more visitors than before. Moreover, travelers are coming from farther away. Arrivals from China have more than doubled, rising 2.3-fold in a year, while arrivals from Malaysia have doubled. Germany, France and the United Kingdom are also seeing growth.
It must be noted that visa waivers for citizens of 94 countries greatly facilitate these getaways! Just as the development of transportation across the country. A new high-speed rail link between Tashkent and Khiva, opened in May, reduced the journey from around fourteen hours to seven and a half. By the end of July, nearly 30,000 passengers had already used it. For some visitors, this transport accessibility is transforming the way they move around the country.
Preserving Market Popularity at All Costs
Other travelers emphasize the warmth of welcome and the sense of security they felt on site. “I felt safe the entire time. People are very welcoming”, says the Romanian Cezar Marksteiner-Ungureanu to Euronews. After increasing its appeal, the country now must keep up with the pace. Between January and July 2026, 705 new lodging establishments opened, adding more than 22,000 beds.
Uzbekistan now counts 7,440 establishments capable of hosting a total of more than 202,000 people. This progression also heightens competition among hotels. “Service comes first today”, summarizes the manager of one such property in Khiva. Employees are also better trained. Everyone wants to convert this influx into a sustainable activity.
