🛂 1. More visa-free countries to enter Uzbekistan

One of the most impactful decisions for Uzbekistan tourism is the expansion of the visa-free country list. The goal is simple: let more nationalities travel to Uzbekistan without applying for a visa in advance.

In practice, this means:

• More travellers can enter with a valid passport and start their trip immediately.
• Fewer steps and smoother entry procedures for many visitors.
• More flexibility when building your Uzbekistan itinerary across multiple cities.

For many travellers, this translates into less paperwork, lower friction and faster planning, especially for classic Silk Road routes in Uzbekistan. It’s ideal if you want to combine Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, or even extend your trip to the Fergana Valley.

At The Silk Road Travel, we help you check your nationality’s entry rules, allowed length of stay and the exact conditions that apply (single/multiple entry, travel purpose, etc.).

📱 2. A new tourist eSIM and simplified registration

Another key move to modernise tourism in Uzbekistan is the introduction of a tourist eSIM for foreign visitors entering the country. Starting on 1 July 2026, travellers are expected to be able to obtain and activate this eSIM upon arrival.

Why is a tourist eSIM in Uzbekistan useful?

• Instant connectivity: arrive, activate, and use data for maps, translation and messaging without hunting for shops or swapping physical SIM cards.
• Less bureaucracy: the accommodation registration process (hotels, guesthouses, etc.) is expected to become more automatic, using entry data collected at the border.

The goal is to let travellers focus on experiences in places like Tashkent and Samarkand, not on forms. As a specialist agency for Uzbekistan travel, The Silk Road Travel will be able to integrate the eSIM into arrival services and selected tour packages.

💸 3. Cash VAT refunds for tourists (Improved tax free)

From 1 February 2026, foreign visitors who shop in Uzbekistan will be able to receive VAT (QQS) refunds in cash upon departure. This is a major step forward for tax free in Uzbekistan.

This brings clear benefits:

• It encourages purchases of local products: silk textiles, ceramics, carpets, traditional clothing, and authentic Silk Road souvenirs.
• Travellers can reduce overall spending by reclaiming VAT on eligible purchases.
• The system becomes closer to familiar international tax-free standards, especially for travellers from Europe and beyond.

At The Silk Road Travel, we can guide you on what purchases may be eligible, the documents you need, and how to handle the VAT refund process at the airport or at official points—especially helpful if you’re shopping in Tashkent or visiting artisan workshops in Bukhara and Khiva.

📈 4. Tourism strategy to 2030–2040: ambitious goals

The new Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan is not limited to short-term changes. It lays out a long-term tourism strategy aimed at turning Uzbekistan into a top destination for cultural tourism and nature travel in Central Asia.

Key targets through 2030 include:

• Doubling international arrivals: from around 10 million a year to roughly 20 million.
• Raising tourism’s share of GDP from ~3.5% to around 7%.
• Exceeding $6 billion per year in tourism service exports.
• Improving connectivity between major tourist cities: Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Fergana and more, with additional domestic flights and significantly shorter travel times on key routes.
• Doubling the number of 4–5 star hotels to raise accommodation standards.
• Diversifying tourism beyond the classic Silk Road with: cultural tourism, gastronomic tourism, ecotourism, adventure tourism, religious tourism, health tourism, and more.
• Building a stronger, recognisable “Uzbekistan” travel brand internationally.

For travellers, this strategy means better infrastructure, more hotel choice, more themed routes and stronger multilingual information to plan a confident Uzbekistan trip.

🏛️ 5. A new Tourism Committee and global marketing

The decree officially establishes the Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan, designed to compete globally in attracting visitors and promoting Uzbekistan tourism.

Main priorities include:

• Opening official tourism offices abroad to promote the destination and support operators.
• Creating a leadership role focused on national tourism product promotion and marketing.
• Expanding digital strategy with targeted advertising campaigns to reach the right travellers in each market.

In this context, The Silk Road Travel is a natural partner for the new phase: we connect international visitors with trusted local operators, licensed guides and reliable hotels, and we design routes that align with the improving services and infrastructure across Uzbekistan.

🧳 6. What do these reforms mean for your Uzbekistan travel plans?

If you’re planning to travel to Uzbekistan in the coming years, these measures make the experience smoother and more competitive compared to many other destinations.

In short, for travellers this means:

• Easier entry: more visa-free access and simplified border procedures.
• More comfort: tourist eSIM, stronger mobile connectivity and more automated registration.
• Better value: cash tax-free VAT refunds from 2026 on eligible purchases.
• Higher quality & variety: more hotels, more travel themes and better internal connections between Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and beyond.
• More support: broader international presence and updated multilingual travel content.

All of this makes Uzbekistan an increasingly strong option for a cultural trip, food journey or nature adventure— whether it’s your first time in Central Asia or you’ve already explored the region.

🗺️ 7. How to make the most of Uzbekistan’s new tourism era

At The Silk Road Travel, we help you use these reforms to build a trip that matches your interests: history, culture, gastronomy, deserts, mountains or photography routes along the Silk Road.

We can help you:

• Design a complete Uzbekistan itinerary covering Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Tashkent and the Fergana Valley, balancing pace, travel time and comfort.
• Organise themed tours such as: gastronomic tourism, cultural tourism, adventure travel, spiritual routes, literary tourism, and more.
• Answer questions about Uzbekistan visa rules, travel insurance, best season to visit, budgeting, and multi-country combinations in Central Asia.

When you’re ready to plan, just tell us: “I want to plan my Uzbekistan trip with The Silk Road Travel” or message us via contact. We’ll guide you step by step so your trip to Uzbekistan makes the most of these new advantages.