President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a meeting on March 18, on the socioeconomic development of the Samarkand Region, during which he announced the allocation of UZS 29 trillion (around $2.4bn) to support economic activity in the region.
Tourism was identified as a priority sector. The government plans to promote Uzbekistan as a safe travel destination amid uncertainty in the global tourism market. The period from April to June has been designated as the “open tourism season.”
To stimulate inbound travel, airlines will receive a subsidy of $100 for each tourist arriving on newly established routes, along with a 20% discount on airport services.
Additional measures target local tourism businesses. Beginning April 1, tour operators will receive budget support of up to $5,000 for every 1,000 international visitors they bring to the country. They will also be eligible to recover 50% of value-added tax paid, provided as cashback.
Authorities plan to expand international promotion efforts. This includes offering fully funded seven-day tours to 50 foreign bloggers whose audiences exceed five million views. Costs associated with promoting Uzbekistan on major tourism platforms will also be reimbursed.
The government aims to increase the number of international events hosted in Samarkand to attract visitors. Plans include organizing tours featuring five internationally recognized artists by the end of the year, as well as holding 10 business forums and fashion-related events.
Scientific tourism has been identified as an additional growth area. The International Astronautical Congress, scheduled to take place in Samarkand in 2028, is expected to attract up to 10,000 participants from more than 100 countries.
The president instructed officials to work with international organizations to develop programs for hosting scientific forums, conferences, and academic Olympiads in fields such as exact and natural sciences.
According to government projections, the implementation of these measures could increase annual tourist arrivals to Samarkand to approximately 6mn people.
