Tourism is one of the leading sectors of the global economy. In this regard, Uzbekistan pays special attention to the modernization of its tourism industry, as well as the development and organization of tourist services in accordance with international standards. Uzbekistan is actively expanding cooperation with international organizations and is putting forward initiatives to deepen collaboration in the field of tourism.
Uzbekistan possesses significant tourism potential due to its unique historical and cultural heritage, geographical location, and stable internal situation. With its convenient geographical positioning, providing access to 21 countries within a 2000 km radius, Uzbekistan has the potential to become one of the leading tourist destinations in the world.
To enhance the level of tourism development in Uzbekistan as a key driver of the economy, a strategy for the development of the country's tourism sector is being actively formulated. In this context, the experiences of several countries with successful tourism sectors have been studied.
According to the directive from the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated January 23, 2025, the Committee for Tourism has begun developing a Tourism Sector Development Strategy up to 2040, actively engaging international companies to exchange experiences and implement best practices.
On January 31, 2025, a contract was signed with the consulting company Reformatics from Georgia, highlighting Uzbekistan's commitment to becoming an attractive tourist destination and developing its industry to the highest standards.
Reformatics is a consulting company that has been closely collaborating with leaders in the public sector worldwide since 2012. It helps these leaders develop formulas and strategies for rapid economic growth, as well as innovative approaches to public policy. The company was founded by a former Prime Minister of Georgia, who leads Reformatics alongside his former chief advisors on economic reforms, business, and management.
As part of their visits to Uzbekistan, specialists from Reformatics are conducting a comprehensive analysis of the country's tourism potential, covering every region, including the Republic of Karakalpakstan.
They have reviewed presentations showcasing the tourism potential of the regions, promising large-scale projects, opportunities for international cooperation, and plans for the further development of the tourism industry.
The consultants' work is aimed at identifying the opportunities for each region's further development. Clear guidelines for the growth of the tourism sector, based on the unique potential of the regions and the current demands of tourists, will not only create high-quality tourism offerings but also make a significant contribution to the formulation of strategies to enhance Uzbekistan's attractiveness as a tourist destination.
Consultants from Reformatics conducted two visits to Uzbekistan, during which they carried out comprehensive and in-depth research covering every region of the country, including the Republic of Karakalpakstan. Their work is aimed at identifying unique tourism potential and opportunities for further development, which serves as a significant contribution to the formulation of strategies to enhance Uzbekistan's attractiveness as a tourist destination.
Experts from the company suggest developing five key areas: cultural and historical tourism, gastronomic tourism, luxury tourism, entertainment tourism, and innovative tourism. This requires the creation of new tourism products, improvement of service quality, attraction of investments, and the launch of large-scale marketing campaigns at the international level.
To increase tourist flow and attract a significant number of affluent tourists, the company has proposed several measures, including further simplification of visa policy, development of transportation connections, expansion of the geography of international flights, and the introduction of direct flights between regions, bypassing Tashkent. The proposals also address the modernization of the gastronomic sector and the development of culinary education, the activation of entertainment and adventure tourism, as well as enhancing the country's visibility through marketing campaigns, which will open new horizons for attracting tourists and investment. According to the document's developers, this will enable a more active development of domestic tourism.
The Reformatics consulting company plans to present a comprehensive final analysis of the tourism development strategy for Uzbekistan until 2040 by the end of 2025. This document will serve as the foundation for creating transparent and effective pathways for the further development of the tourism industry, allowing Uzbekistan to be transformed into an even more attractive destination on the global tourism map.