Dhaka: Uzbekistan has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing tourism destinations, ranking among the top seven globally for growth in international arrivals during January–September 2025, according to the latest data from UN Tourism.

International arrivals rose 73pc compared with the same period in 2019, placing Uzbekistan among a small group of destinations recording exceptional post-pandemic growth.

Only Bhutan posted stronger growth at 203pc, followed by Qatar (138pc), El Salvador (88pc), Albania (83pc) and Bahrain (76pc).

UN Tourism said the figures highlight both recovery and expansion, noting that global international travel volumes increased by around 5pc on average during the first nine months of 2025.

Uzbekistan also recorded a 13pc year-on-year rise in arrivals compared with the same period in 2024, making it the fourth-fastest-growing destination in the European Region after Israel, Finland and Norway.

More than 10.7 million foreign tourists visited Uzbekistan in the first eleven months of 2025, the highest figure on record. Monthly arrivals exceeded one million for the first time from April, while tourism export revenues surpassed USD 4.4 billion.

Growth has been supported by visa liberalisation, improved air connectivity, infrastructure investment and expanded accommodation capacity.

Alongside traditional destinations such as Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, demand is rising for eco-tourism and gastronomic tourism, helping diversify visitor flows.

Uzbekistan aims to attract 15 million tourists annually by 2030 while preserving its cultural and natural heritage.

-B