Uzbekistan, Tashkent – Podrobno.uz. A new sanatorium-resort city called 'Nurbulak' is planned to be established in the Nurabad district of the Samarkand region, utilizing natural thermal springs. The new resort is expected to become one of the country's hubs for medical and wellness tourism.
A draft presidential decree has been prepared to develop the region's recreational potential. According to the document, the new resort will cover an area of 470 hectares. It is planned to be granted the status of a city of regional subordination, with subsequent administrative-territorial changes.
The main natural resource of 'Nurbulak' will be therapeutic radon springs. Based on these, sanatorium-resort facilities meeting international standards will be built, forming a year-round wellness tourism center.
The project envisions increasing the number of sanatoriums to 50, with a total accommodation capacity of 7,400 beds. It also expects a twofold increase in the number of domestic and foreign tourists coming for treatment and recreation.
Additionally, the export of services in medical and wellness tourism is planned to grow by 2.3 times, while the average length of tourist stays will increase from five to eight days.
To attract investors, tax and customs incentives are provided. Entrepreneurs creating international SPA complexes and sanatorium-resort facilities will be exempt from customs duties on imported equipment, technology, and raw materials until January 1, 2035.
Investors will also receive a 50% discount on land tax. Medical institutions providing services to foreign citizens through tour operators will be eligible for a 50% VAT refund starting October 1, 2026. Preferential financing for the construction and equipping of sanatoriums, hotels, and other infrastructure will be provided through commercial banks using funds from the Reconstruction and Development Fund of Uzbekistan.
The Samarkand regional administration will be tasked with developing a master plan for the city within six months. Infrastructure projects will be financed through existing regional development programs and other permitted sources.
As part of developing medical tourism, a national brand 'Avicenna' will be created. To promote it, a unified digital platform will be launched in Uzbek, Russian, English, Chinese, and Arabic. The platform will feature information about medical institutions, sanatoriums, tourist attractions, international certifications, as well as an interactive map and online application service.
The 'Avicenna' brand will be promoted through participation in international exhibitions, presentations, B2B meetings abroad, and diagnostic campaigns attracting foreign citizens to Uzbekistan's medical facilities.
The project is expected to harness Nurbulak's natural potential, boost tourist flows, and create new jobs.
Image generated by AI.
Source: podrobno.uz