AGP Executive Report

Tashkent Tourism Upgrade: With nearly three million foreign visitors already in 2026, Tashkent plans practical fixes for independent travelers—free digital tourist maps, more public toilets, and extra waste bins—after a July 4 city meeting flagged navigation and sanitation gaps. Uzbekistan–Georgia Strategic Push: Uzbekistan and Georgia elevated ties to a strategic partnership, aiming for wider Black Sea access and new Central Asia–Europe routes, alongside cooperation in trade, transport, tourism, and humanitarian exchanges. Uzbekistan–Jordan Talks & Flights: In Tashkent, Jordan’s Ayman Safadi met President Mirziyoyev and Foreign Minister Saidov to deepen cooperation across trade, transport, tourism, and logistics, with direct Amman–Tashkent flights highlighted as a key boost. Air Connectivity Moves: AirAsia MOVE added four airline partners (Oman Air, Uzbekistan Airways, FitsAir, Hainan Airlines), expanding flight options for Silk Road and Central Asia routes. Travel Safety Alert: Authorities in Uzbekistan opened cases over employment and study scams targeting people planning to travel to South Korea and Canada, with suspects accused of collecting thousands of dollars. Labor Market Watch: Uzbekistan’s Central Bank reports a sharp rise in active job seekers in Q1 2026, intensifying competition for vacancies.

Aviation & Connectivity: Oman Air launched its first direct flights to Tashkent (2 weekly) and Singapore (4 weekly), citing strong demand and Uzbekistan’s tourism pull—Islamic heritage, landmarks, and year-round travel potential. Travel Tech & Distribution: AirAsia MOVE added four airline partners in Q2—Oman Air, Uzbekistan Airways, FitsAir and Hainan Airlines—expanding access across the Middle East, Central Asia, South Asia and China. Tourism Policy & Cities: A Tashkent videoconference focused on Sergeli district’s growth and creating safer mahallas, highlighting new housing, parks, schools, clinics, roads and metro links. Sports Tourism (Uzbek link): At the 2026 World Cup, France beat Paraguay 1-0 with a penalty by Kylian Mbappé; Uzbek referee Ilgiz Tantashev was central to the VAR decision. International Tourism Education: Georgia hosted a “Tourism: challenges and sustainable development” conference at Batumi’s Hilton, covering sustainable tourism, digital transformation and cultural heritage. Central Asia AI Push: iFLYTEK officially launched its Open Platform Central Asia in Tashkent, positioning Uzbekistan as an AI hub for governments, universities and enterprises.

Tourism Growth & Longer Stays: Uzbekistan is pushing to turn rising visitor numbers into longer stays and higher spending, with inbound trips climbing from 6.63M (2023) to 7.96M (2024) and a preliminary 11.68M (2025), while tourism services exports rose to $4.8B in 2025; officials say the focus is on long-haul travelers and regional packages, not just raw arrivals. New Air Links: Oman Air launched its first direct flights to Tashkent (2 weekly flights) and Singapore (4 weekly), citing demand and Uzbekistan’s Islamic heritage, history, and year-round appeal—good news for family tourism and business travel. Bilateral Tourism Cooperation: Uzbekistan and Georgia signed a wide-ranging cooperation push that includes tourism, alongside broader trade and tech ties. Local Life in Tashkent: A presidential meeting reviewed Tashkent’s Sergeli district upgrades—new flats, parks, clinics, schools, and a metro line—aimed at creating a safer, more connected mahalla environment. Aviation Distribution Boost: AirAsia MOVE added Oman Air and Uzbekistan Airways among new partners, expanding direct options across Central Asia and beyond. Sports Tourism Context: The World Cup coverage also highlights how Uzbekistan’s global visibility is rising, with searches up after the tournament’s expansion.

Aviation & Connectivity: Oman Air launched its first direct flights to Tashkent (2 weekly) and Singapore (4 weekly), positioning Uzbekistan as a growing family and business destination and boosting Central Asia links. Bilateral Tourism & Trade: Uzbekistan and Georgia elevated ties to a strategic partnership, signing cooperation deals that explicitly cover tourism alongside customs, digitalization, education, labor migration, and more. Tourism Growth Strategy: Uzbekistan is pushing visitors to stay longer and spend more, with officials linking higher-value tourism to long-haul flights, regional itineraries, and targeted packages; inbound trips and tourism services exports have climbed sharply in recent years. Digital Economy & AI: iFLYTEK officially launched its Open Platform Central Asia in Tashkent, pitching Uzbekistan as an emerging regional AI hub for governments, universities, and enterprises. Local Life in Tashkent: A Tashkent meeting focused on Sergeli district’s transformation—new housing, parks, clinics, schools, and metro access—aimed at creating safer, more connected mahallas. World Cup Travel Reality Check: A Reuters/AP-style report highlights how even newly participating nations like Uzbekistan can face visa and entry hurdles, leaving some fans locked out despite the tournament’s push to be more global.

Aviation & Tourism Connectivity: Oman Air launched its first direct flights to Tashkent (2 weekly flights) and Singapore (4 weekly flights), aiming to boost tourism, trade and Central Asia links. Tourism Strategy: Uzbekistan is pushing visitors to stay longer and spend more, with inbound trips rising from 6.63m (2023) to 7.96m (2024) and a projected 11.68m (2025), alongside tourism services exports climbing to $4.8b in 2025. Bilateral Tourism & Culture: Uzbekistan and Georgia elevated ties to a strategic partnership, signing agreements that include tourism cooperation, customs, digitalization, education and labor migration. Regional Mobility Context: Uzbekistan’s passport-related travel demand is rising in the wider region, while Kyrgyzstan’s passport was ranked 127th in a 2026 Global Passport Index—placing Uzbekistan at 123rd in the same comparison. Travel Market Access: AirAsia MOVE expanded its airline partners by adding Oman Air and Uzbekistan Airways, strengthening flight options across Central Asia and beyond. Sports Tourism Hook (Uzbek link): World Cup coverage highlighted an Uzbek referee (Ilgiz Tantashev) in France vs Paraguay, keeping Uzbekistan visible in global travel conversations.

New Air Links: Oman Air launched inaugural direct flights to Tashkent and Singapore, with two weekly Muscat–Tashkent services expected to boost tourism and business travel. More Routes in July: Oman Air also announced five new routes for July 2026, including Muscat–Sochi, Muscat–Tashkent, and a first Dubai–Salalah link. Tourism Growth Push: Uzbekistan is aiming to turn rising visitor numbers into longer stays and higher spending, citing tourism trips up from 6.63m (2023) to 11.68m (2025, preliminary) and tourism services exports reaching $4.8b in 2025. Strategic Partnership with Georgia: Uzbekistan and Georgia signed a declaration upgrading ties to a strategic partnership, targeting $1b annual trade and expanding cooperation in transport, logistics, and tourism, plus plans like opening an Uzbek embassy in Georgia. Regional Travel Boost: Asman Airlines and Malva Tour will launch a seasonal Tashkent–Tamchy (Issyk-Kul) direct route from July 8, once a week, with ready-made tour packages. Aviation Distribution: AirAsia MOVE added Oman Air and Uzbekistan Airways (plus others), expanding its direct partner network to 79 and improving access to Central Asia via Tashkent.

Uzbekistan–Georgia Strategic Push: Uzbekistan and Georgia signed a Declaration establishing a strategic partnership after high-level talks in Tbilisi, with a 2026–2027 cooperation program and deals spanning trade, digitalization, education, customs, agriculture, healthcare, labor migration, and tourism—plus plans to raise annual trade to $1 billion and expand transport links via Black Sea ports Poti and Batumi. Diplomatic Step for Travelers: Uzbekistan also agreed to open an embassy in Georgia, signaling deeper people-to-people ties that can support future cross-border tourism. New Air Connectivity for Central Asia: Asman Airlines and Uzbek tour operator Malva Tour will launch a seasonal direct Tashkent–Tamchy (Issyk-Kul) route from July 8, running weekly with packaged stays and excursions aimed at outdoor-focused travelers. Oman Air Network Boost: Oman Air announced five new July 2026 routes (including Tashkent and Singapore/Sochi), expanding global access that can feed Uzbekistan-bound itineraries. World Cup Tourism Mood: Uzbekistan’s World Cup debut continues to drive global interest, with coverage highlighting rising searches for Uzbekistan and the wider travel pull of the tournament.

Uzbekistan–Georgia Diplomacy Boost: Uzbekistan will open an embassy in Georgia as President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Georgian PM Irakli Kobakhidze sign a strategic partnership declaration, with plans to expand trade, transport links, and cooperation in tourism, education, customs, digitalization, and labor migration. Central Bank Travel & Remittances Snapshot: Uzbekistan’s outbound travel rose to 1.63M people in Q1 2026 (+11.6% YoY) while remittances hit $3.8B (+13%), with Russia still the top source (72.4% share) despite a decline. Tourism Cooperation Talks: Uzbekistan’s tourism committee chief met Georgia’s tourism administration head in Baku to push higher tourist flows, joint routes/products, better tourism statistics, and ideas like VAT refunds for visitors plus mountain, food, and ethnotourism projects. Safety Alert for Visitors: In Bukhara, methane-filled balloons burst after tangling in power lines; authorities detained a vendor and warned tourists to buy from reputable sellers. Tech for Startups: IT Park Uzbekistan launched the President Tech Award (now $5M) and a new President AI Award, supporting startups with grants and market access. World Cup Travel Buzz (Indirect): Uzbekistan’s World Cup debut continues to drive global searches, while sports coverage keeps spotlighting Central Asia fans and travel routes.

Portugal vs Croatia in Toronto: Cristiano Ronaldo (41) and Luka Modrić (40) could be playing their last World Cup match for their nations as Portugal face Croatia in the Round of 16/knockout spotlight, with Ronaldo tying the game on a penalty before Croatia took the lead; fans packed Toronto’s Fan Fest despite extreme heat. Uzbekistan–Jordan direct flights: Royal Jordanian launched regular Tashkent–Amman flights twice weekly (Wednesdays and Sundays), aiming to boost inbound tourism to Petra, the Dead Sea and Wadi Rum and strengthen business and cultural links. Uzbekistan–Georgia tourism cooperation: Uzbekistan’s tourism chief met Georgia’s tourism administration to expand tourist flows, joint routes, and even VAT refund ideas for foreign visitors, plus plans for joint media tours. Bukhara balloon blast warning: Methane-filled balloons burst after tangling in power lines near a café in Bukhara; no injuries reported, but authorities detained the vendor and warned travelers to buy only from reputable sellers. Uzbekistan passport index: Uzbekistan ranks 123rd globally in the Global Passport Index 2026 (2nd in Central Asia), reflecting mobility, investment appeal, and quality-of-life scores. President Tech Award grows: IT Park Uzbekistan opened a new President Tech Award season with a $5M prize pool and launched a President AI Award competition. World Cup travel/security chatter: Reports of strict airport screening for teams including Uzbekistan sparked debate among fans and observers. Electric buses in Uzbekistan-linked region: (Not Uzbekistan, but relevant for regional mobility) electric bus services launched in Pakistan’s Punjab across six districts, signaling continued public transport electrification.

New Air Link: Royal Jordanian launched direct Amman–Tashkent flights (twice weekly, Wed & Sun), aiming to boost inbound tourism to Jordan’s Petra, Dead Sea and Wadi Rum. Bilateral Push: Uzbekistan and Georgia are set for Mirziyoyev’s July 2–3 visit, with talks covering trade, transport/logistics, tourism and investment. Tourism & Connectivity: Uzbekistan’s World Cup debut drove a big jump in global searches (+40%), while regional connectivity keeps expanding. Visa Market Watch: Uzbekistan’s competition regulator classifies VFS Global and Vizametric as dominant in outbound visa services, shaping how travelers access consular processing. Sports Travel Note: Strict security screening of World Cup teams at US airports is sparking debate, including reports of rigorous checks for Uzbekistan’s squad. Humanitarian Gateway: Termez–Hairatan remains a key lifeline for Afghanistan, but funding shortfalls threaten the long-running humanitarian flow. Trade Snapshot: Uzbekistan’s trade deficit widened to $7.5B (exports down, imports up) in Jan–May 2026. Regional Mobility: Kyrgyzstan ranked 78th in the Global Passport Index; Uzbekistan sits at 79th among Central Asian peers.

Uzbekistan Tourism & Media Buzz: Uzbekistan’s World Cup debut is driving a big online spike, with global searches for “Uzbekistan” up about 40% and match-day surges hitting phrases like “Uzbekistan Colombia World Cup 2026” (+450%), as foreign coverage and “Visit/Travel Uzbekistan” queries climb together. Visa & Travel Services: Uzbekistan’s competition regulator has classified VFS Global and Vizametric as dominant players in the outbound visa services market, including Vizametric for US visas—an update that matters for travelers planning Europe/US trips. Bilateral Ties for Tourism: President Mirziyoyev will visit Georgia on July 2–3 for talks on trade, transport, and cooperation, with tourism explicitly on the agenda alongside energy, IT, and pharmaceuticals. Air Connectivity: Oman Air announced five new routes in July (including direct Singapore, Sochi, and Tashkent), boosting regional connectivity that can feed Uzbekistan-bound travel. Travel Context: Tajikistan issued mudslide warnings for mountain roads, highlighting Central Asia’s seasonal travel risks. Economy Watch: Uzbekistan’s trade deficit widened to $7.5B in Jan–May as imports rose and exports fell—useful backdrop for tourism and aviation demand.

World Cup Round of 32 (Atlanta): DR Congo’s historic run continues as they face England at noon Wednesday inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, after beating Uzbekistan 3-1 and reaching knockouts for the first time in 52 years; England topped their group and will aim to avoid the “expectation trap” that has haunted past British campaigns. Health & safety (Ebola): DR Congo has banned mass gatherings in Ebola-risk provinces but made exceptions for the England match, keeping bars, restaurants and a fan zone open with basic precautions. DR Congo fan culture: Viral “Lumumba Vea” is set to miss the game after a U.S. visa denial, while striker Yoane Wissa’s emotional post-match message highlights how conflict back home shapes the squad’s motivation. Uzbekistan tourism & connectivity: Uzbekistan’s Tourism Committee and JICA are teaming up on tourism infrastructure, training, better tourism data systems, and a “Central Asia Tourism Ring” push for joint routes and a unified regional brand. Aviation Silk Road: A new focus on air connectivity under Belt and Road themes is framed as a driver for tourism, logistics and business travel across Eurasia. Rail travel (South Korea): Korail says it’s expanding suburban networks and preparing for international rail services, including renewable-energy and hydrogen train plans. Cross-border travel (Kazakhstan–Uzbekistan): Two border checkpoints are being upgraded to international status with 24/7 operations to improve passenger and freight flow. Sustainable aviation fuel (Uzbekistan): Sinopec Engineering signed on a $6.1bn biorefinery project in Uzbekistan targeting sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel. Air travel sales (AirAsia MOVE): AirAsia MOVE added Oman Air, Uzbekistan Airways, FitsAir and Hainan Airlines to expand direct options across Central Asia and beyond.

Tourism Diplomacy: Uzbekistan and Indonesia agreed to deepen inter-parliamentary cooperation, including joint forums and education/science initiatives, while also pushing a free trade deal and halal certification recognition. Religious Travel & Connectivity: Uzbekistan’s tourism chief met Japan’s JICA to plan tourism infrastructure upgrades, staff training, better tourism data systems, and a “Central Asia Tourism Ring” brand; meanwhile Indonesia’s parliament speaker urged direct flights to boost religious tourism to Imam Bukhari’s tomb and support halal trade. Infrastructure for Visitors: Uzbekistan is accelerating construction projects by increasing the share of locally made building materials, aiming to turn TIIF 2026 investment agreements into jobs and higher-value products. Cross-Border Ease: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan will upgrade two border checkpoints to international status with 24/7 operations, improving passenger and freight flow. New Air Routes: Royal Jordanian announced direct Amman–Tashkent flights starting June 30. Travel Industry Moves: AirAsia MOVE added Uzbekistan Airways and other partners to expand routes across Central Asia and beyond. World Cup Tourism Angle: DR Congo’s World Cup run is drawing global attention, but Ebola-related mass gathering bans (with match exceptions) highlight how health rules can shape fan travel.

Tourism Partnerships: Uzbekistan’s Tourism Committee met Japan’s JICA to plan joint projects for tourism infrastructure, staff training, better tourism data systems, a unified regional “Central Asia Tourism Ring” brand, and even directional road signs. Air Connectivity: AirAsia MOVE added four direct airline partners—Oman Air, Uzbekistan Airways, FitsAir and Hainan Airlines—boosting routes across the Middle East, Central Asia, South Asia and China. New Direct Flight Link: Royal Jordanian is set to launch direct Amman–Tashkent flights, with a tourism showcase in Jordan highlighting Uzbekistan’s travel appeal. Religious Travel Push: Indonesia’s parliament speaker urged direct flights to help pilgrims visit Imam Bukhari’s tomb in Uzbekistan en route to Umrah, plus halal-industry cooperation. World Cup Travel Angle: DR Congo’s famous “Lumumba Vea” superfan missed the Uzbekistan clash after a US visa denial—another reminder of how travel rules can shape fan experiences. Education & Science Tourism: Tashkent will host the 2026 International Chemistry Olympiad (10–19 July), with Paraguay sending four students. Culture Spotlight: Uzbekistan artist Vyacheslav Akhunov’s Venice Biennale show highlights decades of unrealized work shaped by censorship and lack of local institutional support.

Air Connectivity Boost: AirAsia MOVE added four new direct airline partners—Oman Air, Uzbekistan Airways, FitsAir and Hainan Airlines—expanding routes across the Middle East, Central Asia, South Asia and China, with Uzbekistan Airways opening Silk Road access via Tashkent. New Direct Route to Uzbekistan: Royal Jordanian will launch direct Amman–Tashkent flights, with a tourism showcase in Amman ahead of the inaugural June 30 departure. Religious Tourism Push: Indonesia’s MPR speaker Ahmad Muzani urged direct Indonesia–Uzbekistan flights to help pilgrims visit Imam Bukhari’s tomb before Umrah, alongside halal-industry cooperation talks. Uzbekistan in the Spotlight: Uzbekistan’s World Cup debut is highlighted as a first for Central Asia, while Uzbekistan’s tourism momentum continues with reports of over 18,000 citizens visiting Vietnam in five months and international arrivals to Uzbekistan topping 5.3 million in the first five months of 2026. Culture & Arts: The Third International Maqom Art Forum in Namangan drew global figures and reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s role in preserving traditional music and cultural diplomacy. Logistics Corridor: Uztemiryulkonteyner completed a first multimodal cargo run from Malaysia to Tajikistan via Malaysia–China–Kazakhstan–Uzbekistan–Tajikistan, aiming to strengthen South-East to Central Asia transit links. World Cup Travel Reality Check: DR Congo superfan “Lumumba Vea” (Michel Kuka Mboladinga) missed the Uzbekistan match after failing to secure a US visa, underscoring how travel barriers can shape fan experiences.

Visa-Free Boost: Uzbekistan travelers are snapping up China trips after a visa-free deal, with searches up 189% in the first year; leisure demand led the surge, including Shanghai (+319.9%) and Sanya (+386.2%), while average airfares fell about 20% and stays shortened from 10 days to 7.5. Cultural Diplomacy: Namangan hosted the Third International Maqom Art Forum (June 23–27), bringing musicians and officials together and highlighting Uzbekistan’s push to use traditional music as a bridge between countries. Uzbekistan Travel Demand: Uzbekistan’s outbound travel to Vietnam hit 18,330 people in Jan–May 2026, mostly for tourism (17,315). World Cup & Travel Mood: The World Cup’s knockout push is driving big fan movement across host cities, with Uzbekistan supporters celebrating the tournament’s wider Central Asia spotlight even as South Korea’s coach Hong Myung-bo resigned after a shock group exit.