Uzbekistan envisages over twofold increase in Indian arrivals for 2024
With a deep appreciation for the harmonious cultural bonds shared between Uzbekistan and India, Ahror Validjanov, Director, Silk Road Office, Republic of Uzbekistan Tourism Committee, acknowledges the significant surge in Indian visitors. As he eagerly anticipates further growth, Ahror shares his view on the rapidly expanding tourism potential of Uzbekistan and the strategies in place to facilitate growth.
Located in the heart of Central Asia, Uzbekistan is renowned for its magnificent architecture, incredible landscapes, remnants of glorious civilizations, cultural events, and gastronomic delights. From the ancient cities of Samarkand and Bukhara to the mountainous gorges of Surkhandarya, every Uzbeki region offers unforgettable attractions. Whether exploring the vibrant metro of Tashkent or skiing in the Tien Shan foothills, visitors are captivated by its unique tourism offerings.
In terms of business from India, Ahror shares the steady growth in the number of tourists visiting Uzbekistan, “In 2023, we hit the record, and we brought in 7 million visitors from all over the world, and the number of visitors from India tripled to a robust 45,000, since the previous years. The plan for 2024 is to bring in 100,000 tourists from India.” India, China, and Europe are the biggest source markets alongside the neighbouring countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. India, especially, has shown rapid resurgence as a key player.
Expanding Tourism Offerings
Recognising the demand for immersive and experiential tourism, they have spent the last few years developing interesting homegrown tourism products. Ahror states, “We were one of the few countries that did not stop investing in the tourism industry even during the pandemic. We went ahead and increased our investments during those difficult days. Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan were the only two countries in the world that continued
investing in tourism during that phase.”
The longstanding challenge of limited airline connectivity has finally been addressed with the introduction of direct flights from Delhi to Tashkent and efforts to introduce direct flights from Mumbai are underway. Indigo and Uzbekistan Airways are working to further enhance accessibility.
Realising its strength lies in cultural and leisure tourism, Uzbekistan has expanded its tourism domain to encompass emerging sectors like mountain tourism, extreme tourism, and MICE tourism. Acknowledging the notable rise in Indian tourist arrivals, Ahror expressed surprise at the shifting landscape of demands, "Previously, Indian tourists engaged only in cultural and leisure tourism. However, we are now witnessing a remarkable surge in requests for hosting weddings and MICE events as well." He adds with candour, “We find that we are very similar to Indians in the organisation of weddings. Both nations organise weddings in a huge capacity and celebrate over an extended number of days. At least 300-500 people attend weddings, and we have huge capacity venues to accommodate that demand.”
In addition, there is a thriving market for experiential tourism, driven by the increasing demand from Indian tourists seeking a wide range of diverse experiences. The introduction of direct flights has expanded borders, and the recently upgraded mountain resorts are already beginning to attract a large number of Indian tourists. This highlights the rapid development of our mountain and ski tourism, exemplified by world-class resorts.
Innovative Strategies
They are actively fostering partnerships through B2B channels, linking their travel agencies with counterparts in India as part of their cross-border initiatives. Additionally, the visibility on leading international media platforms such as BBC, CNN, and CNBC play a crucial role in promoting tourism potential, particularly within the Indian market.
Ahror points out, “Numerous DMCs have shown keen interest in Uzbekistan, and we are organising roadshows, FAM trips, and press trips to promote our tourism. One of our biggest upcoming investment projects is related to our mountain tourism in Chimgan, which will cost over 400 million dollars. It highlights the enormous potential of this area and also demonstrates its prodigious tourism potential.”
Embracing its urban charm, historical past, and seamless accessibility, Uzbekistan emerges as a beacon for tourism development. It is evident that Uzbekistan's tourism industry is booming as their worldclass resorts strain to accommodate the surge in visitors, even as concerted efforts are being made to cater to the escalating demand.