SEOUL, August 8. /Dunyo IA/. An article dedicated to the dynamic development of Uzbekistan’s tourism sector and its leading position in Central Asia has been published in one of South Korea’s leading publications, “Diplomacy Journal”, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

Publication, based on the “Travel & Tourism Economic Impact Research 2026” report by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), notes that Central Asia became the world’s fastest-growing tourism region in 2025, while Uzbekistan secured leading positions across all key tourism performance indicators.

Publication highlights that, according to the WTTC study, the total contribution of tourism to Central Asia’s gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 17.7 percent in 2025, while the sector’s direct contribution grew by 19.6 percent. The region’s visitor exports reached USD 9.9 billion, demonstrating a 26.4 percent increase compared with the previous year.

Article places particular emphasis on Uzbekistan’s achievements. It notes that nearly half of Central Asia’s total visitor exports are attributed to Uzbekistan, which generated USD 4.8 billion in tourism exports in 2025.

According to WTTC, Uzbekistan has also become the most popular travel destination among residents of Central Asian countries. The authors of the publication attribute this to the country’s rich historical and cultural heritage, the development of modern tourism infrastructure and Uzbekistan’s growing appeal among travellers.

The article cites WTTC experts’ conclusion that tourism in Central Asia is predominantly regional in nature: residents of the region’s countries most often choose neighbouring states as their travel destinations, while Uzbekistan remains the most sought-after destination.

Publication also draws attention to WTTC’s conclusions regarding the significant potential for creating a unified tourism space in Central Asia. According to experts, further simplification of border procedures, expansion of transport and air connectivity, development of joint tourism routes, and promotion of the region as a single tourism destination will contribute to increasing international tourism flows.

Publication notes that, according to WTTC forecasts, by 2036 the total contribution of the tourism sector to the Central Asian economy will reach USD 29.7 billion, demonstrating the strong prospects for further development of the industry and strengthening the region’s position in the global tourism market.