Tourism in Uzbekistan is experiencing a period of rapid growth. More and more travelers are discovering Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, and other gems of the country, and the government is prioritizing the development of the sector, viewing it as one of the key drivers of the national economy. In January-August 2025 alone, over 7.5 million tourists visited Uzbekistan, and the flow continues to grow compared to the previous year. This figure reflects the country's steady rise on the global tourism map and demonstrates that comprehensive efforts in infrastructure development, workforce training, and cultural heritage preservation are yielding results.
Tourism development in Uzbekistan is also driven by active international engagement. Since 1993, the country’s partnership with UN Tourism has played a central role in positioning Uzbekistan as a leader in global tourism.
From the outset, Uzbekistan has aimed not just to participate, but to take a leading role in shaping international tourism policy. The country was the driving force that proposed and successfully secured the adoption of such key documents as the Samarkand Declaration (1994), the Khiva Declaration (1999), and the Bukhara Declaration (2002). These initiatives laid a solid foundation for the revival and promotion of tourism, particularly along the historic Great Silk Road, and helped draw the attention of the international community to the preservation of the region’s unique cultural heritage.
Over the past years, Uzbekistan’s initiatives have expanded their impact and achieved worldwide recognition. At Uzbekistan’s proposal, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2027 as the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism — an important recognition of the country’s initiatives that received support from over 80 UN member states. Uzbekistan proposed the creation of the Global Code of Safe Tourism, aimed at establishing international standards in this field. To implement this initiative, an intergovernmental commission was established, with Uzbekistan unanimously elected as its chair. Finally, in February 2025, the country officially joined the International Code for the Protection of Tourists, reaffirming its commitment to travelers’ rights and modern safety standards.Cooperation with UN Tourism is comprehensive and covers all aspects of tourism development. One of the most important areas is the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage. Under the “Silk Road” program, Uzbekistan is recognized as one of the organization's leading partners. A thematic office operates in Samarkand, consolidating projects, initiatives, and research related to the international “Silk Road” brand under the Organization’s aegis. This office is tasked with coordinating the activities of UN Tourism and tourism experts aimed at intensifying travel along the “Silk Road” for further assessment and the development of recommendations.
Alongside this, the country places great emphasis on capacity building: the International Tourism Academy has been established in Samarkand, offering both short-term and long-term training programs. The Academy’s partner is the prestigious Swiss school Les Roches, whose methodologies enable the training of specialists in accordance with global standards of the hospitality industry.International events held in Uzbekistan play a key role in the country’s cooperation with UN Tourism. The highlight was the 25th anniversary session of the UN Tourism General Assembly, held in Samarkand in October 2023. Representatives from over 140 countries participated, and Samarkand was declared the World Capital of Cultural Tourism. The Assembly featured investment and educational forums attended by more than 1,200 specialists from 127 countries. Important agreements were signed, and both the International Tourism Academy and the thematic “Silk Road” office were inaugurated. This event confirmed Uzbekistan’s ability not only to host major international forums but also to set the agenda for global tourism development.
These achievements demonstrate that Uzbekistan has become one of the leaders in international tourism. The country is not limited to developing its domestic industry but actively shapes new standards and values for the world. In the coming years, the Academy’s educational programs are expected to expand, alongside new initiatives within the framework of the UN Tourism. All of this strengthens Uzbekistan’s position as a key tourism hub that unites historical heritage, modern infrastructure, and international leadership.
