More than 366,000 citizens of Uzbekistan visited Saudi Arabia in 2025, marking a 71 per cent increase year on year and making the kingdom one of the most popular travel destinations for Uzbeks.

A total of 366,251 people traveled to Saudi Arabia last year-163,000 more than in 2024, The Caspian Post reports via Uzbek media.

The main driver behind the surge was religious and cultural tourism. Nearly 198,000 travelers said tourism and pilgrimage were the primary purpose of their trip. Visiting relatives ranked second, with more than 38,000 citizens traveling for family-related reasons.

The remaining flow was spread across more specific purposes. Around 1,000 people traveled for medical treatment, while a smaller number visited Saudi Arabia for official business or education.

Experts attribute the sharp rise in interest to simplified visa procedures and expanded air connectivity between the two countries, which have made travel to the kingdom more accessible and affordable for Uzbek citizens.