Tourism is becoming one of the leading sectors of the Uzbek economy

The tourism industry in Uzbekistan is on the rise – the necessary measures for its development are being implemented. First of all, it should be said that the visa regime for visitors from other countries has been simplified. In particular, visa-free entry for citizens of 93 states, an electronic entry visa for 56 states, a five-day transit visa-free entry for 47 states, and a simplified procedure for issuing tourist visas for 76 states have been established today. 

A visa-free entry regime has been introduced for citizens of China, the United States and Vietnam who have reached the age of 55 and come to our country for a period of no more than 30 days for tourist purposes. New visa categories for foreign citizens have also been introduced, such as Vatandosh, Student visa, Academic visa, Medical visa and Pilgrim visa.
In addition, a tourist police has been established to ensure the safety of the country's guests. And to create favorable conditions for recreation, the number of places in accommodation facilities has been increased to 142 thousand, 70 new tourist routes have been opened, six private airlines have started operating.
The winter resort "Amirsoy", the recreation areas "Afsonalar vodiisi", "Zaamin" and "Charvak" have become international points of tourism that attract the attention of many foreign guests.
To ensure the development of the tourism sector, it is important to create and improve a system of training qualified personnel. Today, higher educational institutions specializing in this field operate in our country. Every year the number of students enrolled in them increases, and the educational process is improved on the basis of advanced foreign experience. As a result, qualified specialists are being trained in accordance with international requirements, scientific research, fundamental, scientific and practical work in various areas.
Tourists are especially attracted to tourist villages: they are interested in seeing firsthand the traditional way of life of local residents and their unique crafts. One of these is the village of Sentob in Navoi region, located 120 kilometers from the center of Nuratinsky district and 180 kilometers from the regional center.
There is a beautiful lake, an ancient temple belonging to the Zoroastrian religion, a number of cultural heritage sites, ancient fortresses, petroglyphs. Tourists are also attracted by the national customs and traditions of the inhabitants. More and more people come to see the place where history and modernity merge together.
Modern conditions in Sentoba are also improving year after year, so that tourists can relax comfortably, get acquainted with historical and natural monuments. Three hostels, 20 family guest houses have been built, and 15 types of tourist services have been established. Last year, Sentob was included in the list of tourist villages of the World Tourism Organization. This event was a special recognition of the tourism potential of our country at the global level.
Favorable conditions are also being created for the development of all types of tourism business in the country. Subsidies are allocated for the construction of hotels and the attraction of international brands, increasing the flow of tourists.
Another great historical event for the Central Asian region was the holding of the 25th anniversary session of the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization in Samarkand last year. The international conference was attended by representatives of over 140 countries. An intensive dialogue and meetings on the further development of tourism took place within the framework of the event.
Thanks to such large-scale events held in our country, cooperation with other states is flourishing, and the tourism industry is developing. In particular, almost seven million tourists visited Uzbekistan in 2023. If we compare with previous indicators, 1.3 million people came to us in 2016, and 5.2 million in 2022.
The flow of tourists from distant countries has increased three to four times. For example, last year more guests arrived from India - 3.5 times (25 thousand), Japan - five times (seven thousand), the USA - twice (14 thousand), Italy - 3.5 times (17 thousand). In 2017, the average amount spent by each foreign tourist on the territory of the republic, in addition to direct costs, amounted to $ 197, in 2022 this figure reached $ 309, in 2023 - $ 330. Last year, the average length of stay of tourists was four to five days and increased 1.5 times compared to the same period in 2022 (three days). 
Over the past 6.5 years (2017 - June 2023), the volume of tourist services has increased 2.5 times, their exports have multiplied, reaching $2 billion 143 million in 2023. 
As the head of state noted: "Frankly speaking, even in those years when everyone was forcibly mobilized for cotton in the scorching heat and severe frost, the revenue from the export of cotton fiber in Uzbekistan did not exceed $ 1 billion. Currently, tourism exports have exceeded this milestone. If we increase it by 3-4 times, then in simple terms, we can not plant cotton either."
In addition, these changes further enhance the global prestige of our country. Thus, according to the World Tourism Organization, Uzbekistan occupies high positions in the list of the fastest growing countries in the field of tourism, as well as in the rating of the famous Gallup center for sociological research "The safest state for tourism".
Our country became the winner in the nominations "Discovery of the Year" and "Gastronomic tourism" in the list of National Geographic Traveler Awards. In 2022, it was recognized as the best developing tourist destination in the Global Index of Muslim Tourism.
The industry attracts benefits and opportunities
Within the framework of the Strategy "Uzbekistan - 2030", benefits in the field of tourism have been defined. In particular, an important pillar of the new stage of the industry's development should be the system of full reimbursement of value added tax, introduced on January 1, 2024. This will give tour operators and foreign tourists significant advantages and increase the competitiveness of Uzbekistan in the international tourism market. 
Benefits for foreign tourists have also been introduced, in particular, a refund of value-added tax for goods purchased in Uzbekistan has been established. This will ensure an increase in cash flow to the economy and encourage tourists to make more purchases in the country.
Tour operators are provided with tax incentives for export services provided under contracts with foreign contractors. 
Changes in the transport network play a special role in the development of tourism. The reforms implemented in this area in 2023 bring the infrastructure and economic development of our republic to a new level. For example, it is also important that there are 14 resident airlines in the aviation industry, 11 of which are private. This will increase competition in the field and help improve the quality of services. 
It is worth noting separately the increase in the number of flights on local routes, intercity and international flights. In particular, bringing the number of flights on 13 domestic destinations to 236 per week makes transport links at the local and international levels stronger.
Since January 1, 2024, the abandonment of the practice of state regulation of tariffs for freight wagons and containers, passenger transportation on high-speed and high-speed trains, as well as the transition to a mechanism for their regulation based on market principles has been introduced.
Similar developments in the field of aviation and rail transport play an important role in strengthening domestic and international economic ties.
Uzbekistan's global initiatives are supported by the international community
On February 26, the UN General Assembly unanimously approved the resolution "2027 - the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism" in New York. The resolution initiated by Uzbekistan was co—sponsored by more than 80 member countries of the organization.
The main purpose of the document is based entirely on the thesis put forward by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Samarkand session of the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in October 2023 on the sustainability and flexibility of the tourism sector to new problems and challenges of our time.
The document decides to declare 2027 the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism and calls on UNWTO, together with governments, UN agencies, and regional organizations, to take comprehensive measures to ensure its successful implementation.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev put forward many relevant proposals and initiatives in the field of tourism development in his speech at the opening ceremony of the session of the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization in Samarkand last year. The idea of providing a guaranteed tourist safety system has been brought to the fore. After all, the conflicts that are taking place today in different parts of the world not only pose a threat to peace, but also negatively affect the development of tourism, an important basis of the economy. Speaking from the international rostrum, the Head of State called on everyone to show solidarity and cohesion in order to avoid such sad situations and put forward a proposal to develop a Global Code of Safe Tourism within the framework of the United Nations in order to strengthen a solid legal framework in the field of international tourism. In addition, it was proposed to adopt an International Action Program for the Development of green Tourism in an era of increasingly intense climate change.
Uzbekistan also proposes to establish the UNWTO nomination "The best city for the introduction of green Tourism", declare 2025 the World Year of Inclusive Tourism and adopt a special declaration, create a Council of Historical Cities for Tourism at the World Tourism Organization, hold a World Youth Summit on Tourism in Tashkent, establish a Global Media Campus that will bring together leading media, journalists and the best travel bloggers. These initiatives will serve development and prosperity around the world.