With the global pandemic officially behind us, the tourism industry has begun its journey towards recovery from what might have been its biggest ever challenge.
2024 is poised to be a significant year for tourism in Uzbekistan, as Khiva has been chosen as tourism capital of the Islamic world.
In 2023 Samarkand was elected as capital city of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the venue for the 25th anniversary session of the UNWTO General Assembly.
Given the continuing trend for global travel post-pandemic, it seems that tourists to Uzbekistan in 2024 could continue to grow.
In this article we look at some of the most important tourism statistics for Uzbekistan.
“Global tourism is on track to return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of year” – Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary General, UNWTO
Number of Tourists to Uzbekistan
A total of 6.6 million tourists visited Uzbekistan in 2023, just short of the anticipated number of 7 million. This made it Uzbekistan’s second biggest year ever, just 100,000 less than its peak of 6.7 million in 2019.
| Year | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| Number of tourists (million) | 2.7 | 5.3 | 6.7 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 5.2 | 6.6 |
The number of tourists visiting Uzbekistan took a huge dip between 2019 and 2022 as the global pandemic put a halt to international tourism.
From a height of 6,748,500 international tourists in 2019, the number of international travelers to Uzbekistan dropped as low as 1,504,100 just one year later in 2020.
- In 2023 the projected number of tourists stands at an all time high of 7 million.
- As of July 2023, 3.7 million foreign citizens had entered Uzbekistan for tourism purposes.
- The number of US tourists to Uzbekistan stands at 13,965 from January to August 2023.
- In 2022, Samarkand’s top tourist attraction the Registan was visited by over 1 million visitors.
Uzbekistan Tourists by Country
- In 2022, the majority of Uzbekistan’s foreign visitors came from the three neighboring countries of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
- The number of Russian tourists to Uzbekistan in 2022 was 567,700, representing a 200% increase from 2021.
- German tourists made up the largest numbers of visitors from any EU state.
| Country | Number of Tourists to Uzbekistan in 2022 |
|---|---|
| Kazakhstan | 1,551,100 |
| Tajikistan | 1,447,800 |
| Kyrgyzstan | 1,356,900 |
| Russia | 567,700 |
| Turkey | 75,600 |
| South Korea | 19,900 |
| Germany | 17,700 |
| India | 16,800 |
| USA | 13,100 |
| France | 11,000 |
| Great Britain | 10,500 |
| Azerbaijan | 10,400 |
| Italy | 8,800 |
| Spain | 6,300 |
| China | 5,400 |
Tourism Revenue in Uzbekistan
The tourism sector of Uzbekistan seems to be in the process of recuperation following the global pandemic and the associated decline in revenue. The industry saw a revenue of around 679.00 million US dollars in 2021.
Tourism revenue as a percentage of GDP was 0.98% in 2021. It reached its highest in 2019 at 2.79%.
- Tourism revenue peaked in 2019 at $1.679 billion
- Tourism revenue in Uzbekistan dropped by 74% in 2020 as COVID halted global tourism
- Revenue bounced back to $679 million in 2021 – up 72% from the previous year
- Uzbekistan tourism revenue as a percentage of GDP was 0.98% in 2021
| Year | Tourism Revenue in Uzbekistan (million USD) | GDP (billion USD) | Tourism Revenue as a % of total GDP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Data not made available | 80.39 | N/A |
| 2021 | 679 | 69.6 | 0.98% |
| 2020 | 395 | 60.22 | 0.66% |
| 2019 | 1,679 | 60.28 | 2.79% |
| 2018 | 1,314 | 52.87 | 2.49% |
| 2017 | 835 | 62.08 | 1.35% |
| 2016 | 579 | 86.14 | 0.67% |
| 2015 | 688 | 86.2 | 0.80% |
| 2014 | 660 | 80.85 | 0.82% |
| 2013-2005 | Data not made available | Various | N/A |
| 2004 | 57 | 12.03 | 0.47% |
| 2003 | 48 | 10.13 | 0.47% |
| 2002 | 68 | 9.69 | 0.70% |
| 2001 | 72 | 11.4 | 0.63% |
| 2000 | 63 | 13.76 | 0.46% |
| 1999 | 102 | 17.08 | 0.60% |
| 1998 | 167 | 14.99 | 1.11% |
| 1997 | 198 | 14.74 | 1.34% |
| 1996 | 15 | 13.95 | 0.11% |
Hotel Statistics in Uzbekistan
- According to official figures, the total number of hotels in Uzbekistan declined by 7% from 2021 to 2022 from a total of 1,167 down to 1,085.
- Tashkent city, Tashkent region, Namangan and Kashkadarya were the only cities to experience growth in the hotel sector.
- Popular tourist destinations Bukhara and Samarkand saw sizeable reductions.
| Region | Number of Hotels 2021 | Number of Hotels 2022 | Change from 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tashkent city | 273 | 307 | 12% |
| Khorezm | 79 | 75 | -5% |
| Ferghana | 49 | 49 | 0% |
| Tashkent region | 76 | 97 | 28% |
| Syrdarya | 20 | 14 | -30% |
| Surkhandarya | 64 | 50 | -22% |
| Samarkand | 186 | 116 | -38% |
| Namangan | 26 | 29 | 12% |
| Navoi | 44 | 37 | -16% |
| Kashkadarya | 43 | 46 | 7% |
| Jizzakh | 33 | 33 | 0% |
| Bukhara | 204 | 180 | -12% |
| Andijan | 26 | 22 | -15% |
| Rep. Karakalpakstan | 44 | 30 | -32% |
Uzbekistan Hotels by Star Category
In 2022, Uzbekistan had just 3 five star hotels in the whole country with the majority of the hotels being uncategorized. The next largest category was one star hotels with a total of 231 hotels at this level.
| Star category | Number of units |
|---|---|
| No category | 674 |
| 1 star | 231 |
| 2 star | 36 |
| 3 star | 120 |
| 4 star | 24 |
| 5 star | 3 |
RELATED POST: Best 5 Star Luxury Hotels in Tashkent
Tour Agency Statistics in Uzbekistan
Despite poor growth in the hotel industry, the number of travel agencies in Uzbekistan rose dramatically and every region in Uzbekistan increased its number of tour agencies.
There are 348 tourist agencies based in Uzbekistan with the majority being located in Tashkent.
| Region | Number of Travel Agencies and Organizations 2022 | Change from 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Tashkent city | 181 | 2% |
| Khorezm | 14 | 75% |
| Ferghana | 9 | 13% |
| Tashkent region | 5 | 67% |
| Syrdarya | 2 | 100% |
| Surkhandarya | 4 | 100% |
| Samarkand | 57 | 39% |
| Namangan | 3 | 200% |
| Navoi | 13 | 30% |
| Kashkadarya | 7 | 133% |
| Jizzakh | 5 | 67% |
| Bukhara | 31 | 94% |
| Andijan | 4 | 33% |
| Rep. Karakalpakstan | 13 | 18% |
Summary
In 2023, Uzbekistan stands at the threshold of a remarkable tourism resurgence, symbolizing a rebound from the pandemic’s grip. Samarkand’s prestigious role as the capital for the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and host of the 25th UNWTO General Assembly session marks a pivotal moment.
The nation anticipates a historic influx of 7 million tourists, a stark contrast to the challenges faced during the pandemic when international arrivals plunged from 6.7 million in 2019 to 1.5 million in 2020.
Fast forward to 2023, where optimism reigns, with 3.7 million foreign visitors already exploring Uzbekistan, including 13,965 from the United States. Neighboring nations like Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan played a pivotal role in boosting tourism in 2022, with Russian tourists surging by 200%. Germany also emerged as a significant contributor from the EU.
While hotel statistics displayed regional variations, some areas, including Tashkent City and Tashkent Region, experienced growth. Despite these fluctuations, Uzbekistan’s commitment to tourism infrastructure is evident, with a rise in travel agencies across all regions, particularly in Tashkent. With these encouraging trends, Uzbekistan is primed for a prominent presence on the global tourism map in 2023 and beyond.
Sources: Stat.uz, Uzdaily, Stat.uz Tourism Indicators, US tourists to Uzbekistan, Russian tourists to Uzbekistan, UNWTO, World Bank, 2023 tourist numbers
Want to see some of the most beautiful medieval architecture in the world? Then read our guide to travel in Uzbekistan or learn about the Uzbekistan’s most beautiful places to visit.