Uzbekistan has identified 10 natural sites with high potential for developing speleotourism.

The list includes nine caves and one salt mine located in the Jizzakh, Samarkand, Surkhandarya and Kashkadarya regions, according to a list approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

The selected sites are the Peshagor, Yakhdon, Omonkoton, Kiev, Hazrati Dovud, Korongi Yulduz, Boybuloq, Teshiktosh and Amir Temur caves, as well as the Khojaikon salt mine.

Authorities plan to conduct a full inventory of the sites and create a unified electronic register. Information on their geographic location, tourism potential, technical condition and legal status will be collected, while each site will receive a digital passport.

The digitalization program will include photographs and videos, 3D models and QR codes providing information for visitors. The digital passports will also be integrated with Uzbekistan’s National Tourism Platform.

Plans also call for the development of speleotourism routes, installation of navigation signs and construction of the necessary infrastructure.

Tourist safety will be a key priority. Authorities will establish specific requirements and guidelines for visiting the caves and coordinate with rescue services.

The government also plans to attract private companies and investors to develop the sites, organize international speleological expeditions and scientific research, and promote Uzbekistan’s cave tourism opportunities abroad.

The list may later be expanded based on proposals from the Tourism Committee.