In the first quarter of 2026, Uzbekistan became one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations in the world, recording a 37% increase in international arrivals and entering the top 10 global leaders in tourism growth dynamics, according to data confirmed by the World Tourism Organization.

Global tourism overall rose by 2% year-on-year during January-March 2026, Caliber.Az reports, citing Uzbek media sources, The Caspian Post reports, citing Kun.uz.

Approximately 307 million international trips were recorded over the three-month period, marking an increase of 6 million compared to the same period last year. However, growth slowed significantly in March, reaching just 0.4%, amid the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East.

Regional performance remained uneven across the world. Europe and Africa recorded the strongest growth at 4% each, followed by Asia and the Pacific with 3%, and the Americas with 2%. In contrast, the Middle East experienced a 14% decline in arrivals over the quarter, with a sharp 37% drop specifically in March.

Against the backdrop of global volatility, several countries recorded notable increases in tourist flows. Alongside Uzbekistan, the strongest performers included Paraguay (+46%), New Caledonia (+45%), El Salvador (+43%), and Mongolia (+39%), among other destinations.

International tourism revenues also continued to rise globally. The highest gains were recorded in Pakistan (+60%), the Republic of Korea (+38%), Mongolia (+27%), and Morocco (+24%).

Experts note that despite continued positive momentum, the global tourism sector remains under pressure from geopolitical instability as well as high transport and accommodation costs, which continue to affect travel demand worldwide.