KUALA LUMPUR, February 3. /Dunyo IA/.  In the Malaysian capital, a presentation highlighting Uzbekistan’s potential in pilgrimage tourism was held, alongside B2B meetings between tourism companies from both countries, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The event was attended by Sheikh Awadh, Deputy President of the Malaysian Association of Travel Companies, local tour operators and members of the media.

Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Karomiddin Gadoev, briefed participants on the country’s ongoing tourism reforms, highlighting initiatives aimed at creating favorable conditions for pilgrims from Muslim countries. In particular, he noted that, under the initiative of the Head of State, the Imam al-Bukhari complex in the Samarkand region has been fully reconstructed.

Bekzod Murodullaev, representative of the Uzbekistan Tourism Committee, outlined measures being implemented to increase pilgrimage tourism from Malaysia and Indonesia, with a target of attracting 100,000 visitors in 2026–2027.

To enhance convenience for pilgrims, it was highlighted that direct flights operate eight times weekly between Tashkent and Kuala Lumpur, as well as to Langkawi Island, serviced by “Uzbekistan Airways”, “Batik Air” and “AirAsia”. Officials emphasized that these direct connections are expected to boost the flow of tourists from Southeast Asia to Central Asia, including Uzbekistan. It was also noted that Malaysian citizens benefit from visa-free entry to Uzbekistan.

During the event, national tourism companies showcased a wide range of pilgrimage travel packages under the “Umrah Plus” program. Following the B2B meetings between tourism companies from both countries, memoranda of cooperation were signed to attract Malaysian tourists to Uzbekistan as part of the “Umrah Plus” initiative already this year.