The number of travellers from Malaysia to Uzbekistan doubled to 10,500 between January and August 2026, compared with just 5,300 in the same period last year. This indicates a growing interest in Uzbekistan as a tourist destination for Malaysians.
At the same time, more than 16,000 Uzbek citizens visited Malaysia in the first half of 2026, representing a 62% increase compared with the previous year, according to a statement from the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Kuala Lumpur.
During the official visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Malaysia in February 2025, both parties agreed to promote Uzbekistan’s pilgrimage tourism potential in Malaysia and further increase tourist flows between the two countries.
“There is enormous potential for expanding ties in the tourism sector.
“An important step in strengthening the tourism links between Uzbekistan and Malaysia has been the introduction of a visa-free regime for citizens of both countries, valid for up to 30 days,” said the statement.
It added that the historical and cultural ties between Uzbekistan and Malaysia positively influence tourism cooperation.
The embassy noted that Uzbekistan’s historic cities, such as Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, were ancient centres of Islamic culture and learning.
“They attract Muslim tourists from all over the world, including from Malaysia,” it added.
The embassy said improved air connectivity was among the key factors contributing to the increase in tourist arrivals, with Uzbekistan Airways and Batik Air operating direct flights between KL and Tashkent.
Since Dec 14, 2025 Batik Air has also operated a weekly direct flight between Langkawi, Kedah and Tashkent.
In recent years, the embassy said Uzbekistan has made widespread efforts to develop Muslim-friendly infrastructure, including new prayer spaces and halal hotels and restaurants.
The embassy said that for more than 2,700 years, Samarkand has stood at the crossroads of civilisations, serving as one of the most important cultural, commercial and intellectual centres along the Great Silk Road.
In March 2026, the Uzbekistan Government opened the Imam al-Bukhari Memorial Complex, which has the capacity to host up to 65,000 visitors daily, an increase from its previous capacity of 12,000.
The site is known as the final resting place of Muhammad ibn Isma’il al-Bukhari (810-870 CE), the preeminent scholar of Hadith.
The embassy shared that the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan is actively cooperating with Malaysia’s Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.
Uzbekistan tourism and cultural delegations also participated in the April and September editions of the MATTA Fair KL in 2026, as well as the MATTA Muslim Friendly Fair held in July.
Meanwhile, citing the Tourism Committee’s report, the embassy said the number of foreign tourists visiting Uzbekistan hit 9.1 million from January to August 2026, up 21.1% from the same period last year.
In 2025, the country recorded 11.7 million international visitors, up from 10.2 million in 2024. – Bernama
