Tourism in Uzbekistan soars as Tashkent opens doors for Kuwaiti visitors
‘Welcome to Uzbekistan… enjoy our culture, history, and cuisine’ -- Timur Khojaev
The Times Kuwait Report
Tashkent is opening its doors to Kuwaiti travelers, with Uzbekistan’s tourism sector witnessing significant growth, says the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Kuwait, H.E. Ayub Khan Yunusov.
Since June 2025, Kuwaiti citizens have been allowed to enter Uzbekistan visa-free for up to one month, a move aimed at facilitating travel and boosting tourism between the two nations, the Uzbekistan envoy said.
The announcement came during a tourism event hosted by the Uzbek Embassy in Kuwait, attended by Timur Khojaev, director of Uzbek travel agency “Asia Lux,” and Gonca Akca, commercial director at Jazeera Airways, alongside representatives from more than 40 travel agencies and tour operators, as well as Kuwaiti influencers and bloggers.
Ambassador Yunusov thanked those present at the event and highlighted Uzbekistan’s rich tourism potential, from historical sites and natural landmarks to a deep cultural heritage.
He praised “Asia Lux” for presenting a detailed overview of the country’s top destinations and travel opportunities.
“There is always more to discover in Uzbekistan,” the ambassador said, noting that the Ministry of Tourism continues to enhance its offerings and programs to attract visitors from across the region.
Gonca Akça emphasized that Jazeera Airways partnered with “Asia Lux” to organize the event and noted that the airline operates 3 to 4 weekly flights to Tashkent during the winter season, in addition to regular flights to Namangan and Samarkand.
She said the airline began flights to Tashkent in 2021 and to the Fergana region in 2019, with occupancy rates reaching around 80 percent.
Gonca Akça added that Uzbekistan has become a popular destination for Kuwaiti and Saudi families and youth, thanks to its scenic mountainous landscapes, rich history, availability of halal food, warm hospitality, and proximity—flights take just about three hours.
Timur Khojaev explained that his visit to Kuwait aims to further promote Uzbek tourism, highlighting that Uzbek companies are running extensive campaigns across GCC markets in response to increasing interest in Uzbek destinations year after year.
“Uzbekistan always welcomes Kuwaiti tourists,” Khojaev said, addressing travelers directly: “Welcome to Uzbekistan… enjoy our culture, history, and cuisine.”
Last year, Uzbekistan hosted 10 million tourists, a number that has already risen to 15 million this year, with over a million additional visitors arriving each month.
