Tourism as a bridge to economic development: A new stage in Uzbekistan–Georgia relations

The development of tourism in Uzbekistan is one of the priority areas of state policy being implemented under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The country is consistently establishing new tourism centers, improving infrastructure, expanding transport accessibility, attracting investment, and supporting entrepreneurship in the tourism sector.

As a result, Uzbekistan continues to strengthen its position in the global tourism market and demonstrates steady growth in its tourism industry. In 2025, the country welcomed 11.7 million international visitors. During the first five months of 2026 alone, the number of foreign tourists exceeded 5.35 million, representing a 27.3 percent increase compared to the same period of the previous year. According to a UN Tourism report, Uzbekistan ranked among the world’s top five countries in terms of international tourism growth during the first quarter of 2026.

The dynamic development of the sector is accompanied by the expansion of international cooperation. In this context, collaboration with Georgia occupies a special place. Over recent decades, Georgia has successfully transformed tourism into one of the key sectors of its economy and built a competitive tourism brand recognized far beyond the region.

Tourism cooperation between Uzbekistan and Georgia rests on a solid foundation. The cornerstone document remains the Memorandum of Cooperation in the Field of Tourism between the governments of the two countries, signed in 1995. Over the years, cooperation has expanded significantly and now encompasses a wide range of areas, from promoting tourism potential to exchanging expertise and implementing joint projects.

One of the factors strengthening bilateral ties is the improvement of transport connectivity. Currently, approximately eight flights per week operate between Uzbekistan and Georgia, facilitating the growth of both tourism and business exchanges.

Cooperation on international platforms is also of considerable importance. Uzbekistan and Georgia participate in joint initiatives, while representatives of the tourism industries of both countries regularly engage through international forums, exhibitions, and business events. Notably, the Georgian side participated in the 30th Tashkent International Tourism Fair “Tourism on the Silk Road” in 2025, where prospects for developing joint tourism routes and new formats of cooperation were discussed.

A new impetus to bilateral interaction was provided by the signing of the Cooperation Program for 2024–2026 between the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan and the Georgian National Tourism Administration. The document is aimed at strengthening partnership, exchanging best practices, and implementing joint initiatives to promote the tourism opportunities of both countries.

Particular interest lies in the exchange of practical experience in tourism development. Georgia is widely regarded as one of the successful examples of effectively leveraging tourism potential to stimulate economic growth. For Uzbekistan, studying and adapting international best practices remains an important component of efforts to further enhance the competitiveness of its tourism industry, promote regional development, and create modern tourism products.

Positive dynamics can also be observed in tourism exchanges. While 2,916 Georgian citizens visited Uzbekistan in 2019, this figure increased to 6,792 by the end of 2025. During the first five months of 2026, the number of tourists arriving from Georgia reached 3,328, compared to 2,526 during the same period of the previous year.

Today, cooperation between Uzbekistan and Georgia extends far beyond traditional tourism exchanges. Tourism is increasingly serving as a platform for strengthening business contacts, advancing joint initiatives, enhancing transport connectivity, and sharing expertise in tourism management. All of these factors create additional opportunities for economic growth, entrepreneurship development, and the expansion of humanitarian ties between the two countries.

The experience of recent years demonstrates that tourism can serve as an effective bridge between nations, connecting not only people and cultures but also economic interests. The steady development of Uzbekistan–Georgia cooperation confirms that partnership in the tourism sector can become an important driver of sustainable development and open new opportunities for both countries.