BRUSSELS, February 23. /Dunyo IA/. An article by Editor-in-Chief António Buscardini, focusing on tourist flows to Uzbekistan, has been published in the Belgian travel publication “Travel Tomorrow”, which is widely read among international travellers, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The author notes that Uzbekistan has announced a new milestone in the development of its rapidly expanding tourism sector, setting a target to welcome 12 million foreign visitors in 2026. The goal was presented at the 7th Hospitality Industry Forum held this year in Tashkent.

The article highlights that Uzbekistan is actively strengthening its accommodation capacity. According to the Tourism Committee, 1,023 new accommodation facilities - including hotels, hostels and family-run guesthouses - have opened across the country in recent years.

In total, Uzbekistan now operates 6,921 accommodation establishments, offering approximately 185,600 beds. This expanded capacity, the publication observes, not only enables the country to host a growing influx of visitors but also supports improvements in service standards and enhances accessibility to various regions.

At the same time, country is broadening its tourism map beyond the traditional Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. Increasing emphasis is being placed on emerging destinations such as Kashkadarya Region, Republic of Karakalpakstan and Fergana Valley, offering travellers a diverse array of cultural heritage sites and natural landscapes.

Domestic tourism is also playing a pivotal role in sustaining the sector’s upward trajectory. In 2025, citizens of Uzbekistan undertook more than 23.7 million trips under the nationwide “Travel Uzbekistan” program, contributing to higher service standards and reinforcing the resilience of the country’s tourism industry.

According to “Travel Tomorrow”, Uzbekistan is already ranked among the world’s fastest-growing travel destinations. In 2025, the number of international arrivals nearly reached 11 million, while tourism revenues exceeded USD 4.4 billion.

“Through sustained investment, destination diversification and the active integration of digital technologies, Uzbekistan is steadily consolidating its position as a modern, competitive and highly attractive destination in the global tourism market”, - publication’s Editor-in-Chief concludes.