ТУРИСТИЧЕСКИЙ ПРОРЫВ УЗБЕКИСТАНА-2026: ОТ МАСШТАБНЫХ ЦИФР К УСТОЙЧИВОМУ РАЗВИТИЮ РЕГИОНОВ И ЭКСКЛАВОВ

Abstract

The thesis analyzes the drivers of the record-breaking growth of Uzbekistan's 
tourism industry in 2026: a 33% increase in tourist flow in the first two months of the year, plans to receive 12 million international tourists, and the strategic goal of reaching 20 million by 2030. It 
argues that sustainable tourism development is impossible without balanced development of remote and cross-border territories. Using the exclaves of Sokh and Shakhimardan as examples, key infrastructure challenges are identified (energy dependence of up to 90%, road wear of over 60%, shortage of high-speed internet and clean water), and solutions are shown through state programs and an investment portfolio of $135.5 million, including the construction of small hydroelectric power plants, road modernization, and the creation of 150 guest houses with a forecast of 3,200 new jobs. Special attention is paid to the role of cross-border cooperation (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan), the implementation of the public-private partnership model, and green energy as the foundation for sustainable tourism in exclaves.