MADRID, July 6. /Dunyo IA/.   An article titled “Tourism as a bridge to economic development: A new stage in relations between Uzbekistan and Georgia” has been published on the Spanish information portal “Mundo Ruso Hablante”, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

Publication notes that tourism development is one of the priority areas of Uzbekistan's state policy, implemented under the leadership of the country's President. Consistent reforms aimed at modernizing tourism infrastructure, creating new tourism centers, expanding transport accessibility, and attracting investment contribute to the dynamic development of the industry and the strengthening of Uzbekistan's international image.

Publication provides statistical data indicating high growth rates in the tourism sector. Thus, at the end of 2025, Uzbekistan was visited by 11.7 million foreign tourists, and in the first five months of 2026, the number of foreign guests exceeded 5.35 million people, which is 27.3 percent more compared to the same period last year. Furthermore, according to UN Tourism data, in the first quarter of 2026, Uzbekistan entered the top five countries globally with the highest growth rates in international tourism.

Particular attention in the article is paid to the development of Uzbek-Georgian cooperation in the tourism sector. It emphasizes that the interaction between the two countries is based on a long-standing legal framework and is consistently developing through the implementation of joint projects, the exchange of experience, active participation in international tourism forums and exhibitions, as well as the expansion of transport links between the two states.

Publication also notes the significance of the Cooperation Program between the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan and the National Tourism Administration of Georgia for 2024–2026, which is aimed at further strengthening the partnership, promoting the tourism potential of both countries and implementing joint initiatives.

Author emphasizes that Georgia's experience in developing the tourism industry is of significant interest to Uzbekistan, which is actively implementing best international practices to increase the competitiveness of the national tourism product and stimulate the socio-economic development of its regions.

Article provides data demonstrating the growth of mutual tourist exchanges. While 2,916 Georgian citizens visited Uzbekistan in 2019, at the end of 2025 this figure increased to 6,792 people. During the first five months of 2026, the number of tourists from Georgia reached 3,328 people, compared to 2,526 for the same period last year.

Summing up, the author notes that cooperation between Uzbekistan and Georgia in the tourism sector goes far beyond traditional tourist exchange. Tourism is becoming an important tool for strengthening economic ties, developing entrepreneurship, expanding transport connectivity, and humanitarian cooperation, opening up new prospects for sustainable development and mutually beneficial partnership between the two countries.