Uzbekistan has taken a major step toward transforming its tourism industry with the launch of the practical phase of the luxury tourist train project, the Samarkand Express, a flagship initiative designed to showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage to international travelers.

The project was formalized during the Tashkent International Investment Forum and a meeting of the Council of Foreign Investors, where Uzbekistan Railways and Italian company Arsenale S.p.A. signed a package of strategic agreements paving the way for the train’s launch, The Caspian Post reports via UzDaily.

The Samarkand Express will become Arsenale’s first tourism rail project in Asia, offering premium travel experience along the historic Silk Road. The route will connect Uzbekistan’s most iconic destinations - Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva - allowing visitors to explore some of the region’s most celebrated UNESCO-listed landmarks and cultural treasures.

The newly signed agreements move the project from planning to implementation. Following earlier memorandums and preliminary arrangements, the parties have established a comprehensive contractual framework governing the train’s launch and operation.

A cornerstone of the initiative is a coordination agreement between Arsenale, Uzbekistan Railways, and the Foundation for Development of Culture and Arts under the President of Uzbekistan. The agreement outlines governance mechanisms and confirms strong institutional support for the project.

Additional operational agreements were also signed to provide access to railway infrastructure, traction services, rolling stock maintenance, and technical support necessary for the train’s future operations.