Uzbekistan is accelerating plans to boost tourism, announcing major infrastructure investments and moving ahead with an expansion of the national airline’s passenger fleet.

According to a statement issued by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan attracted over 10 million international travelers in 2024, generating $3.5 billion in revenue for the country’s tourism sector. Plans originally called for Uzbekistan to increase the number of foreign visitors to 15 million by 2030. But now, the Uzbek president says the country can reach that goal this year.

“Taking into account the historical, cultural and natural wealth of our country, the number of tourists can be increased 2-3 times more,” according to the presidential statement. It added that Mirziyoyev wants government agencies to develop “measures to identify local opportunities, increase the number of tourist destinations and improve conditions for tourists.”

Mirziyoyev revealed during an April 9 governmental meeting that over the past eight years roughly $6.5 billion has been invested in the tourism sector, adding over 130,000 hotel rooms. Over the past four years, 327 cultural heritage monuments and sites have undergone restoration work, but there are at least 485 still in need of repair, the statement added. 

Among the new projects on the drawing board are the creation of winter resorts in mountainous areas of the southern Surkhandarya Region. Authorities are also developing an electronic platform to simplify procedures for tourists to obtain tickets and visas.

To facilitate a rapid increase in foreign visitors, Uzbek officials have reached a preliminary agreement to purchase 14 European-made Airbus passenger jets and lease an additional five. In addition, officials are negotiating with the US manufacturer Boeing to purchase 14 787-8 Dreamliners worth about $2 billion.

East Asia and Central Europe are seen as the most promising markets to attract tourists to Uzbekistan, which can capitalize on its historical association with the Silk Road trade route.