Uzbekistan’s competitiveness and advantages in the SCO tourism market

In recent years, Uzbekistan has strengthened its position in the international tourism market, particularly in the region of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). From January to June 2025, the country welcomed over 5.3 million international tourists, more than double the figure of the previous year, while tourism service exports rose to USD 2.4 billion, marking a 164% increase.

For the SCO member states, tourism serves as a driver of economic growth and an important tool for cultural exchange and diplomatic rapprochement. Uzbekistan stands out within the Organization thanks to its rich cultural heritage, modern infrastructure, and liberal visa policy.

Uzbekistan’s historical landmarks provide the country with a significant competitive advantage within the SCO region. Cities such as Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva – all included on the UNESCO World Heritage List – have become major cultural magnets for tourists. These cities are home to hundreds of architectural monuments, mosques and madrasahs, traditional markets, and craft centers, offering travelers a truly unique experience.

Building on this heritage, Uzbekistan has also expanded its hospitality sector. In the first half of 2025, Uzbekistan established 60 new hotels, 287 family guest houses, 146 hostels, and 24 other accommodation facilities – a total of 517 new establishments offering 12,800 additional beds. As a result, the total number of accommodation facilities reached 6,448, with overall capacity exceeding 170,000 beds.

In recent years, Uzbekistan has actively cooperated with global hotel brands, with international chains such as Hilton, Intercontinental, Bentley, Bill Wyndham & Co, and Azimut implementing investment projects across various regions of the country. This has had a positive impact on both the quality of service and the level of trust from the international community.

Additionally, 368 new tourism companies and travel agencies were established in the country, bringing the total number of tour operators to 4,052. Across the republic, 3,415 tour guides are currently active, with 215 new specialists trained in just the first half of this year. These developments have improved the quality of tourism services and significantly enhanced conditions for visitors to the country.

Uzbekistan’s visa policy is also one of the most progressive in the region. Today, citizens of more than 90 countries can enter the country visa-free, while an additional 56 countries have access to an electronic visa system. This has become a key factor in the growth of tourist arrivals.

All of these measures have contributed to a significant increase in the number of tourists visiting Uzbekistan. In the first six months of 2025 alone, more than 4.3 million tourists from SCO member states visited the country, accounting for over 80% of all international visitors.

Uzbekistan is also actively promoting its tourism image on the international stage. Cooperation is underway with global media companies such as World Media Group, Blue Sky, Sky One, Wanderlust, Euronews, BBC, National Geographic, CNN, Travel Tomorrow, Warner Bros. Discovery, Saga Travel Group, as well as with online platforms like Ctrip.com, Holiday Factory, Voyage Privé, and others.

In 2024, Uzbekistan participated in 22 international tourism exhibitions held in 19 leading countries worldwide, presenting its national pavilion. A number of large-scale initiatives are also being implemented within the SCO region. In particular, as part of the Year of Tourism of Uzbekistan in China, presentations were held in more than 20 provinces, alongside participation in tourism exhibitions and over 500 B2B meetings. As a result of these events, 44 agreements were signed to facilitate the arrival of Chinese tourists to Uzbekistan.

From an economic perspective, tourism plays a key role in Uzbekistan’s economy. In 2024, 591 projects were implemented with a total investment of USD 2.8 billion, creating 19,428 new jobs. For 2025, the government has set even more ambitious targets: attracting 11 million foreign tourists, generating tourism revenues of USD 3.8 billion, and creating 50,000 new jobs.

Furthermore, the country is implementing the “Tourism-2040” strategy aimed at the long-term development of the industry. This strategy includes focus areas such as sustainable tourism development, eco-friendly travel, involvement of local communities, infrastructure expansion, and the adoption of digital technologies.

In conclusion, Uzbekistan’s competitiveness in the SCO tourism market is ensured by a range of factors: a rich historical and cultural heritage, modern infrastructure, an active international marketing strategy, favorable visa policies, and a stable economic strategy. Taken together, these make the country an important regional player and a significant global actor in the tourism market.

Umid Shadiev,
Chairman of the Tourism Committee