Uzbekistan Sees More than Twenty-Five Percent Increase in French Tourists in this Year, Driven by its Rising Interest in the Cultural, Business and Educational Travel

Published on December 17, 2025

There has been a marked increase of 26.9% in the number of French tourists visiting Uzbekistan in 2025, where a total of 27,500 have been recorded to have visited between January and October of the year. This is evident of the rising popularity of Uzbekistan as a tourist destination among French nationals and its growing importance in the tourism industry across the world.

This rise in tourist numbers is contributed by a combination of reasons, with tourism being the dominant purpose for travel, accounting for 25,200 respondents out of the total number. A small percentage—comprising 1,100 respondents—came with business travel, while another 1,000 respondents traveled with the objective of visiting their relations residing in the country of Uzbekistan. Educational reasons attracted 76 French nationals, while a few respondents traveled with business objectives within the country.

Cultural and Economic Ties Driving Tourism Growth

The increase in French visitors comes amid growing bilateral cooperation between Uzbekistan and France in areas like economic development, education, and healthcare. Earlier this year, a French-Uzbek business forum in Paris further solidified the growing partnership between the two countries. With trade turnover between the two nations reaching $1.1 billion in 2024, marking a 14% increase from the previous year, France has become a key trading partner for Uzbekistan.

Currently, over 50 French companies operate in Uzbekistan, contributing to various sectors such as energy, infrastructure, aviation, environmental services, and tourism. This economic cooperation has likely fostered increased business travel from France, supporting the overall increase in French tourists visiting Uzbekistan.

Tourism Infrastructure and Long-Term Growth Outlook

Uzbekistan’s tourism sector has seen consistent growth in recent years, with a total of 8 million foreign visitors in 2024, representing a 24.2% increase compared to 2023. This ongoing upward trend reflects Uzbekistan’s dedicated efforts to improve its tourism infrastructure, aiming to make the country an increasingly attractive destination for international travelers.

With more focus on developing the country’s hospitality industry, transport networks, and tourist attractions, Uzbekistan is well-positioned to continue its growth as a popular tourist destination in Central Asia. The focus on improving tourism facilities and services suggests that the country is preparing for an even greater surge in visitor numbers in the coming years, as it seeks to expand its appeal to a broader international market.

Future Tourism Impact: Strengthening Uzbekistan’s Global Tourism Standing

Looking forward, the increase in French tourists reflects a broader trend of rising international interest in Uzbekistan. The country’s rich cultural heritage, including Silk Road sites like Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, combined with modern infrastructure improvements, will continue to attract tourists from all over the world. As Uzbekistan works to position itself as a premier tourism destination, it is likely to see sustained growth in international arrivals, particularly from Europe, Russia, and Southeast Asia.

The tourism industry in Uzbekistan is expected to evolve to meet the demands of global travelers, with the government’s commitment to sustainable tourism practices and the creation of unique travel experiences playing a central role in shaping the future of the sector. As Uzbekistan’s tourism infrastructure improves and new tourism routes are developed, the country is well on its way to becoming a key player in the global tourism market.

Uzbekistan’s Bright Future as a Tourism Destination

The constant rise in the number of French tourists visiting Uzbekistan in 2025, accompanied by an increase in the revenue generated from tourism and other purposes for traveling, indicates the improvement within the tourism industry in Uzbekistan. Not only is the trend expected to continue with the increasing emphasis on sustainable tourism and preserving heritage, but the future looks bright for the increased influx of tourists visiting the country in the years to come. This trend is expected to have a long-term effect on the economy of the region and the position of Uzbekistan within the global tourism map.

With the ever-improving tourism infrastructure and markets that continue to flock towards the country, the future appears bright for countries like Uzbekistan, which is poised to reap the rewards of a standardized approach emphasizing quality tourism experiences and regional integration within the global tourism community.