Uzbekistan ranks among the top five countries globally for the fastest growth in attracting foreign tourists during January-March 2026.

International arrivals to the country surged by 37% compared to the same period in 2025, underscoring Uzbekistan’s strengthening position on the global tourism map, The Caspian Post reports via UzA.

By comparison, global international travel grew at a far slower pace of 2%, reaching 307 million travelers-an increase of 6 million over the same period last year. Against this backdrop, Uzbekistan’s performance stands out as one of the most dynamic worldwide.

The country’s tourism sector has maintained strong momentum following a record-breaking 2025, when nearly 11.7 million foreign visitors arrived. In the first five months of 2026 alone, more than 5.3 million tourists have already visited Uzbekistan.

Experts attribute this rapid growth to expanded visa-free travel policies, ongoing improvements in transport infrastructure, and stronger international promotion of the country’s tourism potential. The growing number of hotels, service facilities, and industrial tourism-related enterprises has also contributed to improving service quality across the sector.

Uzbekistan’s appeal continues to be driven by its safety, relatively affordable travel costs, and rich cultural and historical heritage. Iconic destinations such as Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva remain top attractions, while interest in ecotourism, gastronomy, and adventure travel has been steadily increasing in recent years.