Uzbekistan has recorded steady growth in its tourism sector, with about 3mn foreign tourists visiting the country since the beginning of the year, marking a 37% increase. Tourism service exports rose by 48%, reaching $1.1bn. The country has set ambitious targets to attract 20mn foreign tourists by 2030 and serve 12mn visitors by the end of 2026.
These figures were presented during a review of ongoing and planned initiatives in the fields of culture and tourism, where President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was briefed on new development projects and sector priorities.
One of the key proposals is the construction of a new Silk Road Museum in Samarkand on a 9-hectare site. The museum is expected to feature more than 6,000 exhibits covering archaeology, fine arts, and applied arts. The complex will include permanent and temporary exhibition halls, a 160-seat auditorium, a children’s academy, a conservation and research center, and large storage facilities.
The presentation also focused on modernizing cultural institutions and expanding access to cultural services. Proposals were discussed to gradually transform 839 cultural centers across the country, upgrade their infrastructure, and attract private sector participation to improve efficiency and public engagement. More than UZS 1 trillion ($82.3mn) are expected to be allocated to the cultural sector by 2030.
Attention was also given to developing human capital in the arts, including early identification of talented youth, targeted education from primary school level, and improved conditions for creative training. Support initiatives for the Andijan Youth Symphony Orchestra and the “Tumor” dance ensemble were approved.
Officials highlighted the need to expand national cultural content in the media space and strengthen digital archives of Uzbekistan’s heritage through the use of artificial intelligence technologies. Plans were also considered to introduce preferential loans for non-governmental cultural organizations, along with state support and grant mechanisms for private theaters and creative studios.
To further support tourism growth, Uzbekistan is preparing region-specific development programs. Between 2026 and 2027, the country plans to implement 31 regional master plans, create more than 40,000 jobs, expand accommodation capacity to 8,250 facilities, and increase the number of tourism villages and neighborhoods to 84.
Additional measures include reimbursement of up to 25% of tourism promotion costs (up to UZS 500mn, $41,135), incentives for private operators organizing cultural and staged performances for tourists, and professional training programs involving local and international experts.
The president instructed officials to refine the proposals and ensure their implementation based on precise planning and detailed calculations.
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