Uzbekistan continues to strengthen its position as a top travel destination for visitors from Kyrgyzstan, with new figures showing a sharp rise in cross-border tourism.

According to data from the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan, more than 521,000 Kyrgyz citizens visited Uzbekistan in the first two months of 2026-an increase of 23.3% compared to the same period last year, The Caspian Post reports via Kyrgyz media.

Kyrgyzstan now ranks first in terms of tourist arrivals to Uzbekistan, outperforming regional neighbors such as Tajikistan and Kazakhstan.

The growth trend extends beyond the region. Tourist flows from Russia rose by 36%, while arrivals from China surged by an impressive 3.5 times, signaling Uzbekistan’s growing global appeal.

The surge builds on a record year in 2025, when Uzbekistan welcomed 11.7 million foreign visitors.

With rising demand, improved connectivity, and simplified travel regimes, Uzbekistan is rapidly cementing its status as one of Central Asia’s fastest-growing tourism hubs.