Arda Khiva and FlyArystan Launch New International Tourist Route Between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan

The tourist complex 'Arda Khiva' and the airline FlyArystan are jointly working to develop tourism between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. This joint initiative was presented in Almaty during the opening of the international 'Games of the Future'.

Launch of a New Route

During a meeting with tour operators from both countries, a new international route connecting Almaty and Urgench was announced. Representatives of 'Arda Khiva' showcased the tourism potential of the Khorezm region and special offers for FlyArystan passengers, while the airline presented details of the new destination. The travel packages offered by the parties include both accommodation and excursion programs.

Trip and Cooperation Details

Urgench is only 30 kilometers from the ancient city of Khiva, whose historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The parties also agreed to organize an introductory info tour for leading bloggers and Kazakh tour operators. This tour is scheduled for August 7 to 10 and will coincide with the 'Golden Pumpkin' festival. The info tour program includes visiting the historic center of Khiva—Ichon-Kala, familiarizing oneself with the infrastructure of 'Arda Khiva', participating in festival events, and holding a business B2B meeting with representatives of the regional tourism industry, which will allow participants to assess the potential of Khorezm and develop attractive offers for Kazakh tourists.

Previously, 'Arda Khiva' and FlyArystan signed a memorandum of cooperation, and the recent meeting in Almaty was the next stage of its implementation. Regular direct flights on the Almaty – Urgench – Almaty route will begin on September 3 and will operate twice a week—on Thursdays and Sundays. Tickets for these flights are already available on the official website of FlyArystan, in its mobile application, and through other sales channels.

Overview of the Arda Khiva Complex

The 'Arda Khiva' complex was built by order of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. This multifunctional tourist cluster covers an area of 25 hectares near Lake Govukul. It is designed to host various events—sports, cultural-historical, and entertainment—with the support of the Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Khorezm region hokimiyat. The complex's infrastructure is extensive and includes six hotels for 1000 people, an open water park, an indoor pool, an amphitheater for 3000 spectators, as well as 11 handicraft houses, the 'Ancient Urgench' museum, an art gallery, and a jewelry center. Additionally, there is a network of 2 km gondola lines, over ten cafes and restaurants, an oriental bazaar, the region's largest children's center, sports facilities, and a spa complex. The management of this complex is carried out by the international consortium HotelPro (Uzbekistan) / Kronwell (Russia).

Information about FlyArystan

FlyArystan is a Kazakh airline that is a 100% subsidiary of the Air Astana group of companies. The company began operations in May 2019. The airline serves a wide network of destinations and uses a modern fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft, with bases in Almaty, Astana, and Aktau. FlyArystan's route network covers domestic, international, and charter flights.

uzdaily.uzJuly 24, 10:15

Uzbekistan and Iran Discuss Expanding Cooperation in Tourism

The Chairman of the Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Abdulaziz Akkulov, held a meeting with the Ambassador of the Institute of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Uzbekistan, Mohammad Ali Eskandari.

Discussion of Tourism Potential

During this meeting, the parties discussed in detail the further strengthening of partnership between the two states in the field of tourism, aimed at effectively utilizing existing potential and increasing mutual tourist flows.

Areas of Cooperation

In particular, the participants exchanged views on promoting the tourism opportunities of both countries, increasing the number of tourist trips, expanding direct air connections, as well as developing joint work in the field of medical tourism.

Proposals and Agreements

The Iranian side put forward a proposal to simplify visa procedures for Iranian citizens. Furthermore, an agreement was reached on more active promotion of Uzbekistan's tourism potential in the Iranian market and continuous increase in mutual tourist exchanges, based on the rich historical and cultural heritage of the two countries.

uza.uzJuly 21, 12:47

According to tourism platforms, interest in Uzbekistan among tourists is increasing

In recent years, Uzbekistan has been establishing a firm place on the international tourism map. This trend is confirmed not only by the flow of tourists but also by statistics from one of the world's major travel platforms, 'Expedia Group.'

Internet Searches and Booking Numbers

According to data from the company 'Expedia', internet searches for traveling to Uzbekistan in June 2026 increased by 54% compared to the same period last year, indicating that interest in the country is growing globally, not just regionally.

This interest is turning into practical actions: the number of bookings formalized through 'Expedia' has grown by approximately 46%, and the purchase of airline tickets has increased by 23%. This means that people are not just reading about or watching videos about Uzbekistan, but are also implementing their travel plans.

Geographical and Tourism Directions of Interest

The highest rate of interest was recorded in the USA and Japan. Additionally, countries such as Great Britain, Germany, France, and South Korea are joining the list of tourist markets frequently searched for Uzbekistan.

Tourists' main choice currently leans towards the cities of Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara, but the prestige of other historical cities like Khiva is also growing year by year. The increase in interest in Khiva shows an eagerness for Ichan-Qala and ancient architectural heritage.

Children and the Future Season

82.9% of the bookings confirmed on the 'Expedia' platform are scheduled for July-September 2026, which gives confidence that the autumn tourism season in Uzbekistan will be even more active. This growth is not accidental; the introduction of new international air routes, the simplification of visas, the country's active participation in international exhibitions, and the display of its rich cultural heritage are showing their results.

Currently, Uzbekistan is recognized not only as a center of the Silk Road but also as a safe and hospitable country. While 'Expedia Group' statistics confirm that the world is discovering Uzbekistan, the current important task is to solidify this interest with high-quality services, new tourism products, and good service.