By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo
The following article was contributed by Аziza Аminova, Member of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, to the Diplomacy Journal for publication through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. –Ed.
The tourism industry, as one of the largest and most profitable sectors of the global economy, accounts for nearly 10 percent of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Ranking third after the automotive and oil and gas industries, it attracts 7 percent of global investments. Tourism is also recognized as a sector that contributes to improving environmental conditions and reducing dependency on natural resources.
Uzbekistan possesses vast potential for tourism development, with its rich cultural and historical heritage and national traditions attracting thousands of tourists annually.
To effectively harness these opportunities, national and regional programs have been developed to promote emerging types of tourism—pilgrimage, ecological, educational, ethnographic, gastronomic, sports, wellness, rural, industrial, and others. The growth of ecotourism has transformed the approach to the management of nature reserves, national parks, nurseries, and natural monuments. The construction of recreational zones and social infrastructure facilities across regions has created favorable conditions for skiing and other winter sports. This has laid the groundwork for the development of geotourism, medical tourism, mountaineering, and rafting.
Specialist training is conducted at Samarkand Institute of Economics and Service, Tashkent State University of Economics, Bukhara and Urgench State Universities, as well as the Singapore Institute of Management Development in Tashkent and the International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage “Silk Road.” Approximately 1,000 students graduate annually with bachelor’s degrees, and over 80 with master’s degrees. Additionally, 3,500 graduates receive diplomas annually from 12 specialized vocational colleges focused on various sectors of the tourism industry.
According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, in 2018 Uzbekistan ranked 150th in terms of tourism revenue, 115th by GDP contribution, and 69th out of 220 countries in employment within the sector. By mid-2025, Uzbekistan rose to fourth place among the world’s fastest-growing tourist destinations.
On April 9, a videoconference chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev discussed ways to further enhance the tourism potential of the regions and accelerate the implementation of investment projects with foreign partners. The Head of State emphasized that over recent years, the export of domestic tourism products has increased by 1.6 times, reaching 3.5 billion US dollars. More than 2,000 new entrepreneurs have begun operations in the sector, and over the past eight years, investments totaling 6.5 billion US dollars have been made.
At the meeting with entrepreneurs on August 20, the President announced a new program providing for the auctioning of 5,000 hectares of land for hotel and tourism facility construction, along with concessional loans ranging from 10 to 30 billion Uzbek soms for a term of seven years. A premium fund of 1 million US dollars will be established to stimulate entrepreneurial activities.
In 2024, Uzbekistan welcomed 10.2 million international tourists. For every 20 visitors, one job is created directly in the tourism sector, along with two additional positions in related industries.
Environmental pollution encourages travelers to choose ecologically clean regions, favoring the development of rural tourism. From this perspective, the Republic of Uzbekistan has strong potential. This new form of travel will contribute to improving the living standards of rural residents, creating jobs, increasing incomes, and modernizing engineering and social infrastructure.
