STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM SECTOR IN UZBEKISTAN: DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION, INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT, AND ECONOMIC IMPACT (2025-2030)

Abstract

The tourism sector of the Republic of Uzbekistan has emerged as a strategic priority for national economic development, with ambitious targets established in the updated "Uzbekistan-2030" Strategy and the Tourism Development Strategy 2026-2030. In 2025, tourist arrivals reached 11.7 million, representing a 76% increase from 6.63 million in 2023, while exports of tourism services amounted to $4.8 billion. The government has set transformative goals: increasing the number of foreign tourists from 12 million in 2026 to 20 million by 2030, raising tourism's contribution to GDP from the current 3.5% to 7%, and boosting annual exports of tourism services to more than $6 billion. To support this growth, the Tourism Committee has been established with expanded powers, and 950 billion soums have been allocated in 2026 for tourism infrastructure development including roads, utilities, and public spaces. The Unified National Tourism Platform and mobile application are scheduled for launch on July 1, 2026, representing a cornerstone of digital transformation in the sector. However, despite remarkable progress, significant challenges remain: tourism's share in GDP (3.5%) remains well below the global average of approximately 10%, indicating substantial headroom for growth. Infrastructure gaps, limited hotel capacity in emerging destinations, seasonality concentration, and the need for enhanced digital services present both challenges and opportunities for research. This study addresses the critical need for comprehensive analysis of strategic tourism development in Uzbekistan, integrating infrastructure investment, digital transformation, and economic impact assessment.