International travelers are increasingly venturing beyond Uzbekistan's famous Silk Road hubs like Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva to explore lesser-known regions of the Central Asian nation. Official figures show that Uzbekistan recorded 9.1 million visits by foreign nationals in the first eight months of 2026, a 21.1 percent increase year on year, while tourism services exports jumped 53.5 percent to $4.6 billion. Beyond total visitor numbers, tourists are also staying longer and spending more during their trips.
According to Oybek Hakimov, an adviser to the chairman of Uzbekistan's Tourism Committee, average spending per tourist has reached $503, up significantly from $197 in 2017, with visitors staying an average of eight days. Hakimov noted that travelers are branching out to regional destinations such as the Fergana Valley, Kashkadarya, Surkhandarya, and Karakalpakstan. Growth has been particularly strong in long-haul markets, with foreign arrivals from China increasing 2.3-fold and visitor numbers from European nations like Germany, France, and the UK rising by more than 20 percent.
The shift is being driven in part by relaxed entry rules and key transport infrastructure developments. Uzbekistan currently offers visa-free entry to citizens of 94 countries, including a reciprocal 30-day visa-free arrangement with China. Traveling across the country has also become easier; the new Jaloliddin Manguberdi high-speed train service introduced in May cut rail journey times between Tashkent and Khiva from around 14 hours to seven and a half. Combined with direct international flights into Urgench and the opening of 705 new accommodation facilities in 2026, getting around Uzbekistan's diverse regions is becoming far more convenient.