Promises vs. progress: What’s holding back Uzbekistan’s tourism sector?

During a videoconference held on April 9, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized the need to unlock the tourism potential of Uzbekistan’s regions. The meeting presented some key statistics on the sector and concluded with a series of new instructions to responsible authorities.

Reportedly, Uzbekistan’s tourism exports have reached $3.5 billion in recent years, and more than 10 million foreign tourists visited the country last year. A new strategy is now being developed with the goal of increasing tourism’s share in the national economy to 7% and exports to $10 billion by 2040.

As part of this strategy and related development programs, the following tasks have been set:

• Begin road repairs along the “Tourism Ring”;
• Expand the construction and furnishing of capsule hotels;
• Introduce a 10-day approval process via my.gov.uz for trekking route permits for tour operators in mountainous regions;
• Extend the 10-day visa-free regime for Gulf countries to 30 days and simplify visa procedures for tourists from India, Pakistan, Egypt, and Iran;
• Expedite the launch of the Unified National Tourism Platform, which will include e-ticketing and e-visa services;
• Declare one Saturday and Sunday each month as “Travel with Family and Colleagues” days and allocate 20 billion UZS annually to promote domestic tourism;
• Implement a “unified tourist card” providing access to all historical sites across the country.

Additionally, the President instructed officials to develop measures to promote extreme tourism and attract 15 million foreign tourists by 2025.

What happened to the Cabinet's previous decision?

It is important to note that the implementation of several tourism development initiatives outlined in earlier government documents has been delayed – or neglected altogether.

Currently, the national legislative database contains over a hundred legal documents related to tourism development in Uzbekistan. While most are in force, their implementation raises questions. Take, for example, Government Resolution No. 582, which called for the launch of new types of tourism by January 1, 2025, including industrial, geological, scientific, military, and government administration tourism. Specific ministries and agencies were tasked with implementing each type.

Under the resolution:

The Ministry of Justice was to introduce guided tours of government buildings and facilities;

• The Ministry of Defense was to offer paid shooting range experiences;
• The Ministry of Geology was to allow visits to mining sites and geological explosions.

More than three months have passed since the designated deadline, yet there is no evidence that these new tourism services have been launched.

In December 2024, the Ministry of Geology announced that safety and hygiene regulations, visitor protocols, and service systems had been defined for the Muruntau mine in Navoi region and the Kalmokyr mine in Tashkent region. However, there has been no visible promotion of tourism involving live observation of mining explosions.

Similarly, the Ministry of Defense stated in December 2024 that all necessary conditions had been established to offer paid shooting services at the Kibray sports complex, part of the National Center for Elite Sports. Yet, this facility still remains closed to the public.

In a comment to Kun.uz in December 2024, the Tourism Committee said the Ministries of Justice and Economy and Finance had identified around 50 facilities for governance and industrial tourism. It also noted that tours to these sites would begin in 2025. However, despite more than three months passing, the public has not seen the launch of any such “governance tourism” activities.

Moreover, Resolution No. 582 tasked the Central Bank, the Ministry of Digital Technologies, and the Tourism Committee with negotiating the entry of international online payment platforms – such as PayPal, AliPay, UniPay, Apple Pay, and Google Pay – into Uzbekistan. These institutions were also instructed to consider revising national legislation if necessary to accommodate such services.

Later, in December 2024, the Central Bank told Kun.uz that Apple and Google had declined integration due to concerns over a controversial clause in Uzbekistan’s personal data law. Despite the President’s call for a solution, more than four months have passed without any legislative changes.

A clear resolution from the Cabinet with deadlines exists, and the Tourism Committee has developed the necessary framework. So why are responsible agencies delaying implementation? Why are oversight mechanisms failing?

There are many questions – but, for now, few answers.