In recent years, Uzbekistan has emerged as one of the most welcoming and open nations on the global stage. The country has expanded its horizons through diplomatic engagements and a neighborly approach with nearby countries and foreign states.
The primary objective of the ongoing initiatives in the tourism sector is to further elevate societal well-being by embracing openness, modernizing economic sectors, creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs, and enhancing overall living standards.
One might ponder, "Why is there such a significant focus on advancing tourism in Uzbekistan?" The answer is clear-cut: every dollar invested in this sector yields returns of 3 to 4 times.
These tireless efforts in the tourism sector have led to the creation of one new job, with two more job opportunities sprouting up in various other sectors. As the state leadership affirms, "Even in years of extreme cold or unbearable heat, such as my homeland, Uzbekistan's cotton exports never exceeded 1 billion dollars. Now, tourism exports have exceeded this milestone. If we can multiply it by 3 or 4 times, we might even say that 'cotton is no longer our primary export.'"
Experts highlight that within the tourism sector, a substantial 30% of the generated income directly contributes to the people's wages, in contrast to the 10% observed in other industries and sectors. This is precisely why many nations are exploring innovative approaches to attract tourists.
In light of these remarkable developments, recent changes in visa regulations are designed to facilitate the entry of foreign tourists and enhance their overall experience. Visa requirements have undergone significant relaxation for foreign visitors, encompassing visa-free entry for citizens from 93 countries, e-visas for 56 countries, transit visa-free entry for 47 countries, and streamlined tourism visas for 76 countries.
Additionally, for travelers aged 55 and under, staying for less than 30 days, visa-free entry has been established for visitors from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam.
Furthermore, a range of novel visa categories has been introduced, including "Citizen," "Student Visa," "Academic Visa," "Medical Visa," and "Pilgrim Visa."
These concerted measures have resulted in a substantial increase in the number of foreign tourists flocking to Uzbekistan. While in 2016, the country welcomed 1.3 million tourists, the figure has surged to 5.2 million in 2022. Over the first eight months of 2023, Uzbekistan has hosted 4.3 million foreign tourists.
The influx of foreign tourists to our nation has grown exponentially. For example, this year has witnessed a 3.5-fold increase in Indian visitors (25,000), a fivefold increase in Japanese tourists (7,000), a twofold increase in American travelers (14,000), and a 3.5-fold surge in Italian tourists (17,000).
Moreover, the average expenditure per foreign tourist, exclusive of direct travel costs, has witnessed a significant upturn. In 2017, it stood at $197, ascending to $309 in 2022, and surging to $330 in 2023. The volume of tourism exports in 2023 reached $1.6Bn, marking a substantial leap from the $531Mn recorded in 2017.
The average duration of tourists' stays has also seen an uptick, extending from 4-5 days to an average of 1.5 weeks in comparison to the preceding year.
Despite the complex global landscape shaped by the pandemic, the Uzbekistan tourism sector has grown 2.5 times in the last six years, with the number of foreign tourists escalating from 2 million in 2016 to 5 million. This boom in tourism has led to a quadrupling of tourism export, which now stands at $1.6Bn, marking a fourfold increase. For 2023, the tourism export is anticipated to reach $2Bn.
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