Abdulaziz Akkulov, Chairman of the Tourism Committee, held a press conference outlining major reforms and a development strategy for the sector until 2030. According to the plans, tourism's share in the country's GDP is to reach 7%, with the flow of foreign guests increasing to 20 million people and service exports to $6 billion.

The foundation for these transformations is a presidential decree dated April 30, 2026, which incorporates proposals from over 1,500 entrepreneurs. In the next two years, 40,000 new jobs are expected to be created in the tourism sector. An innovative project management system is being introduced, operating along a chain from creating attractive locations to active promotion.

Specialized project offices for infrastructure and tourism product development are being established under the committee. One of the first landmark projects will be the Kipchak Fishing Village complex in Karakalpakstan. This year, 950 billion soums have been allocated for tourism infrastructure development. Funds will go towards road repairs, utility connections, and improvement of coastal areas.

The goal is also to increase the hotel room inventory to 95,000 units. Global tech giants such as Expedia Group, Amadeus, and Trip.com will help promote the country's potential, while modern AI technologies will become an important tool for attracting travelers.

Efforts are already yielding tangible results: in the first four months of 2026, Uzbekistan was visited by 4 million foreign tourists, 30% more than last year. Service exports amounted to $1.6 billion. Leading global media outlets, including The Washington Post and The Telegraph, have included Uzbekistan in their lists of the most promising destinations of the year.

Source: podrobno.uz