Uzbekistan’s New Pilgrimage Program Offers Exclusive Travel for Malaysian and Indonesian Tourists, Get the Details Here

Published on December 16, 2025

The Uzbekistan government is actively pursuing initiatives to make the country a primary pilgrimage destination for Malaysian and Indonesian tourists. During a zoom meeting recently held, representatives of the Samarkand province, together with Uzbekistan’s Malaysian and Indonesian Ambassadors, considered ways to encourage pilgrims to travel to Uzbekistan. The emphasis is on developing Uzbekistan’s pilgrimage tourism market, using the novel “Umrah Plus” concept that mixes religious tourism with cultural tourism.

The Growing Interest in Uzbekistan’s Sacred Sites

The meeting, attended by Samarkand Governor Adiz Boboev, representatives from Uzbek embassies in Malaysia and Indonesia, tourism consultants, and stakeholders from the aviation industry, highlighted a growing demand for visits to Uzbekistan’s sacred sites. Specifically, many Muslims from Malaysia and Indonesia, which have large populations of Naqshbandi Sufi followers, expressed interest in visiting the mausoleum of Imam Bukhari in Samarkand before heading to Saudi Arabia for the Umrah pilgrimage.

The Naqshbandi order holds significant religious importance in Central Asia, and Imam Bukhari, one of the most revered Islamic scholars, is a key figure for followers of this tradition. His mausoleum in Samarkand is a major draw for Muslim tourists, adding cultural and spiritual value to their pilgrimage experience. The opportunity to visit such a revered site before embarking on Umrah is a compelling reason for pilgrims to consider Uzbekistan as part of their religious journey.

Launching the “Umrah Plus” Program

The discussions focused on developing the “Umrah Plus” program, which aims to seamlessly combine religious travel with cultural exploration in Uzbekistan. The idea behind this initiative is to offer pilgrims from Malaysia and Indonesia the chance to visit Uzbekistan’s sacred sites, such as the mausoleum of Imam Bukhari, before continuing their journey to Saudi Arabia for Umrah.

The program is designed to provide a well-organized, enriching travel experience, allowing pilgrims to deepen their spiritual journey while also exploring Uzbekistan’s rich cultural heritage. A proposed itinerary includes a two-day stay in Samarkand, allowing visitors to appreciate the region’s historic sites, and then onward flights to Saudi Arabia for their Umrah pilgrimage. Uzbek airlines are expected to operate these flights, offering seamless connections between the two countries.

The “Umrah Plus” program is expected to attract significant numbers of tourists from Malaysia and Indonesia, providing an excellent opportunity for Uzbekistan to tap into the growing demand for religious tourism from these regions. By offering a combined spiritual and cultural experience, the program aligns with broader trends in travel, where tourists seek multi-dimensional journeys that blend culture, history, and spirituality.

Expanding Airline Routes and Improving Infrastructure

One of the key points discussed in the meeting was the expansion of transport routes between Malaysia, Indonesia, and Uzbekistan. Officials explored the possibility of organizing direct flights from Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta to Samarkand, ensuring convenient access for Malaysian and Indonesian pilgrims. This would significantly reduce travel time and increase the ease with which tourists can visit Uzbekistan as part of their pilgrimage journey.

In addition to expanding flight routes, the meeting emphasized the importance of enhancing service quality to ensure a smooth experience for tourists. This includes improving the infrastructure of Samarkand’s airports, providing high-quality accommodations, and ensuring that the needs of pilgrims are met in a respectful and welcoming manner. Developing the necessary tourism infrastructure will be crucial in positioning Uzbekistan as a premier destination for religious tourists from Malaysia and Indonesia.

Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation to Increase Visitor Arrivals

Following the meeting, Governor Boboev instructed relevant authorities to develop a detailed roadmap to increase tourism from Malaysia and Indonesia. This plan will focus on strengthening coordination between Uzbek embassies in both countries and collaborating with travel companies to design appealing tour packages for pilgrims. The goal is to ensure that the “Umrah Plus” program is widely promoted and accessible, with clear travel routes and well-organized services in place.

By working closely with travel agencies in Malaysia and Indonesia, Uzbekistan aims to increase awareness of its sacred sites and encourage pilgrims to include Samarkand in their religious itineraries. The development of this tourism strategy is part of Uzbekistan’s broader goal of enhancing its tourism sector, attracting more visitors, and creating long-term economic benefits for local communities.

The Economic Impact of Pilgrimage Tourism in Uzbekistan

Pilgrimage tourism holds significant potential for Uzbekistan, both in terms of generating revenue and promoting cultural exchange. As part of the “Umrah Plus” program, tourists will not only spend on flights, accommodation, and local tours but also contribute to the local economy by purchasing local goods and services. The influx of pilgrims will create job opportunities in the hospitality sector and boost local businesses, particularly those that cater to tourists, such as restaurants, souvenir shops, and transportation services.

Moreover, the increased visibility of Uzbekistan as a destination for religious tourism will likely stimulate further investments in infrastructure, further enhancing the country’s appeal as a tourist hub. As more tourists visit Uzbekistan’s cultural and religious sites, the country will benefit from the broader global recognition of its rich history and spiritual heritage.

Building a Sustainable Future for Pilgrimage Tourism

The success of the “Umrah Plus” program will depend on its ability to balance tourism growth with sustainability. Ensuring that the development of pilgrimage tourism does not overwhelm local communities or harm the environment will be key to the program’s long-term success. Uzbekistan’s tourism authorities have already expressed a commitment to sustainable tourism practices, which include protecting the integrity of historical and religious sites while ensuring that tourism activities support local economies in a responsible way.

By focusing on high-quality, respectful tourism experiences, Uzbekistan hopes to build a sustainable model for pilgrimage tourism that can serve as a blueprint for other countries in the region. The combination of religious tourism and cultural exploration offers a unique opportunity to foster deeper connections between visitors and Uzbekistan, while also benefiting the country’s economy.

A New Chapter in Uzbekistan’s Tourism Development

The country is set to take a major role in the rapidly expanding international sector for religious tourism. Through the promotion of its holy sites, development of transport infrastructure, and improvement of the tourist experience, not only is Uzbekistan increasing the number of its pilgrims, but it is also facilitating the growth of its tourism sector. This is a great start for Uzbekistan’s future in the tourism sector.