A new wave of regional cooperation is set to reshape travel across Central Asia, as officials push forward plans to develop joint tourist routes and simplify cross-border movement.

Chairman of the Uzbek Tourism Committee Abdulaziz Akkulov met with Zulfiya Karimova, Head of the CAREC program for grant support, cross-border tourism, and regional integration, to discuss the creation of a “Tourist Ring of Central Asia,” a unified travel network designed to connect multiple destinations across the region, The Caspian Post reports via UzA.

The discussions focused on introducing a single visa system for third-country tourists, allowing easier movement across Central Asia without multiple entry requirements.

Officials also explored launching coordinated tourist routes linking key destinations across Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, aiming to position the region as a single integrated travel market.

Another major proposal included establishing dedicated tourist corridors at border checkpoints in Uzbekistan, designed to speed up entry procedures for organized travel groups.

The plan also envisions Central Asian countries jointly participating in major international tourism exhibitions under a shared regional pavilion, strengthening global branding and visibility.

Beyond the region, participants discussed expanding tourism ties with markets such as the US, Australia, and countries in Latin America.

Following the meeting, the sides agreed to launch pilot projects to upgrade border infrastructure in the Fergana and Tashkent regions, introduce digital tourism systems, and expand joint training programs for the sector.

The initiative builds on a proposal originally put forward by Uzbekistan’s president at the 59th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank Board of Governors, reflecting a broader push to position Central Asia as a unified global tourism destination.