10-07-202656
In recent years, the tourism sector of Uzbekistan has become one of the priority directions of the economy, playing an important role in enhancing the country's international image. Cultural heritage, historic cities, and natural landscapes create an attractive destination for tourists. Sustainable tourism implies maintaining ecological and social balance in the course of developing tourism activities.
Legal Foundations of Sustainable Tourism
Sustainable tourism is implemented by the UN World Tourism Organization on the basis of the principle of "meeting the needs of the present generation without prejudice to the interests of future generations." In Uzbekistan, considerable attention is paid to the development of sustainable tourism on a legislative basis. The Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On Tourism," adopted on April 16, 2019, and Resolution No. 433 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated July 10, 2020, "On Measures to Create Favorable Conditions for the Recovery and Development of the Tourism Sector," regulate activities in the field while simultaneously ensuring sustainable development. Furthermore, the "New Uzbekistan — 2030" strategy defines the objective of developing ecologically sustainable tourism in the country.
Development of Tourism Infrastructure
The tourism infrastructure of Uzbekistan is being systematically modernized. The construction of international airports in Tashkent and Samarkand, the establishment of tourist complexes in tourist cities, and the organization of ecotourism clusters in mountain and ecological areas all contribute to sustainable development. For example, the new terminal of Tashkent International Airport, built using modern technologies, creates the capacity to accommodate up to 15 million passengers per year. Road and railway infrastructure along tourist routes is being updated: the Afrosiab high-speed train supports sustainable tourism on the Samarkand–Bukhara–Khiva route.
Extensive work is being carried out in Uzbekistan to establish tourist zones and complexes. In particular, the Silk Road Samarkand International Tourist Center, commissioned in 2022, was constructed on the basis of modern infrastructure for ecotourism, conferences, and cultural events.
The Amirsoy, Ugamriver, Charvak Resort Zone, and Beldersoy–Chimgan–Nanay tourist clusters are among the major projects being implemented through public-private partnerships for the purpose of developing mountain and ecotourism.
In addition, the Khiva City and Bukhara City projects serve to enhance the potential of cultural tourism and the country's international tourist image through the preservation of historic cities and the integration of modern infrastructure.
Ecological routes and eco-lodge type accommodations are being created in the Nurata, Zomin, and Surkhan national parks. At the same time, under the rural tourism program, local residents have been granted the right to use their homes as guesthouses. This contributes to ensuring economic sustainability, increasing the social activity of the population, and developing local tourism potential.
Challenges and Prospects
In the course of developing sustainable tourism, issues such as inadequate infrastructure, incomplete implementation of environmental standards, and a shortage of qualified guides in the tourism sector remain pertinent. Regional disparities persist with regard to tourism infrastructure and service quality — in particular, the Fergana Valley, Surkhandarya, and Kashkadarya regions have yet to fully systematize hotel, road, logistics, advertising, and marketing services. The insufficient qualifications of tourism sector employees, limited foreign language proficiency, inadequate service quality, and weak promotional capacity continue to hinder the development of tourism in these regions. Another challenge lies in transport connectivity constraints — specifically, the limited number of flights to Khiva and difficulties associated with railway routes, which slow the development of sustainable tourism.
Despite existing challenges, the tourism sector is developing in a positive direction. Tourist numbers are growing rapidly: while over 8.2 million foreign tourists visited Uzbekistan in 2024, this figure exceeded 4.2 million for January–May 2025, representing a 48.2 percent increase compared to the same period of the previous year. The volume of tourism services and the share of exports are also increasing — in the first quarter of 2025, the volume of tourist services reached 927 million US dollars. The measures being implemented by the state to simplify visa procedures, strengthen international cooperation, and introduce global tourism brands are creating broad opportunities for sectoral development. In particular, a visa-free entry regime is currently in effect for citizens of 93 states, further enhancing the country's international tourist attractiveness.
Conclusion
The tourism sector of Uzbekistan is advancing toward sustainable development through state policy and practical projects. Infrastructure modernization, ecotourism clusters, and cultural heritage conservation projects are elevating the country's standing in the international tourism arena. Tashkent and Samarkand international airports, tourist complexes, and ecotourism projects in mountainous areas will undoubtedly transform Uzbekistan into a center of sustainable tourism in Central Asia.
Latifjonov Muhammadfotig
Senior Specialist, Center for Sustainable Development