Uzbekistan’s Tourism Minister Umid Shadiev made a compelling case for India as a key growth market, announcing plans to triple Indian arrivals by 2030. Leading a high-profile delegation to India during SATTE 2025, Shadiev emphasised Uzbekistan’s cultural affinity with India, ease of travel, and diverse tourism offerings, from Silk Road heritage to ski resorts and grand wedding destinations.
Uzbekistan’s tourism sector has undergone a dramatic transformation since 2017, when the country adopted an “open door” visa policy. From just 2.4 million visitors in 2017, arrivals surged to 10.2 million in 2024, with tourism revenue hitting $3.5 billion last year. India, though still a nascent market, saw 82,000 visitors in 2024—a near doubling from 47,000 in 2023.
“Our goal is to welcome at least 200,000 Indian tourists by 2030,” declared Shadiev. “The potential is enormous—culturally, we are mirrors of each other. Indian travelers feel at home in Uzbekistan, and our people adore India.”
To fuel this growth, Uzbekistan offers e-visas for Indians, processed within a day. Shadiev hinted at a potential visa-free regime, pending bilateral talks. Air connectivity is already robust, with daily flights from Delhi to Tashkent (2h 20m) operated by Uzbekistan Airways and IndiGo. “We’re urging airlines to launch new routes, including to Samarkand and Bukhara,” he added.
Weddings, Winter Sports, and MICE Opportunities
A highlight of Uzbekistan’s pitch was wedding tourism. “Indian weddings are grand, and our Silk Road cities—Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva—offer majestic backdrops,” said Shadiev, revealing he’d attended an Indian wedding in Delhi the night before. “Our new luxury resorts can host 10,000 guests, perfect for destination weddings.”
Winter tourism is another focus. “Our ski resorts, like Amirsoy, are 50% filled by Indians,” he noted, citing affordability compared to Europe. For MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions), Uzbekistan will host UNESCO’s 43rd General Conference in Samarkand this November—the first time it’s held outside Paris. “This follows our success with the UN Tourism Assembly in 2023, where we rebranded the UNWTO.”
Cultural Ties and Safety Assurance
Shadiev, a former UNESCO ambassador, stressed shared heritage, from Mughal emperor Babur’s roots in Uzbekistan’s Fergana Valley to joint UNESCO intangible cultural projects. He also spotlighted Uzbekistan’s ranking as one of the world’s safest countries (topping the list in 2023). “Families, solo travelers, and filmmakers—all will find Uzbekistan secure and welcoming.”Uzbekistan is betting big on India. “This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about deepening ties,” Shadiev concluded. “From Bollywood shoots in summer to ski holidays in winter, Uzbekistan is a year-round destination for India.”
“The Silk Road once connected us—now, it’s time for a new journey,” said Shadiev, extending an invitation to Indian travellers.
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