The Committee on Tourism has presented a draft presidential decree aimed at developing active types of tourism in Uzbekistan. This document was published for public discussion and was developed with the participation of relevant ministries and agencies.
During the preparation of the draft, the experience of several countries, including Switzerland, Austria, France, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, was studied. The project establishes six key areas for the development of active tourism: enhancing visitor safety, expanding tourism offerings based on the natural and geographical potential of the regions, implementing both national and international safety standards, digitalization and simplification of permitting procedures, improving the training of guides and instructors, and supporting entrepreneurs and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
As part of the initiative, a list of 162 natural sites with significant potential for active tourism was compiled. The largest number of such sites is concentrated in Tashkent region—with 77 of them. Additionally, 30 sites have been identified in Surkhandarya region, while Samarkand, Kashkadarya, and Jizzakh regions have 22, 20, and 13 respectively.
This list includes 88 mountains and mountain ranges, 21 lakes, 20 waterfalls, 18 caves and grottos, and 15 mountain peaks. A separate 'roadmap' is planned for the further development of infrastructure, improvement of tourist services, and promotion of active tourism.
After the decree is approved, the Committee on Tourism is obliged to create a regulatory act within one month that will define the unified procedure for organizing and conducting activities in the field of active tourism. A special regulation is proposed for extreme tourism sites, which will include their state registration, commissioning, and accounting.
Existing regulations are planned to be supplemented with types of extreme entertainment such as zip-lining, roller coasters, bungee jumping, tyne parks, and suspension bridges.
The Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES), together with the Committee on Tourism and relevant experts, will develop a training program for guides and escorts. A system of certification and professional development is planned to be introduced. Training plans will comply with the standards of the International Union of Alpine Associations (UIAA), the Union of International Mountain Leader Associations (UIMLA), and the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA).
Specialized courses are planned to be opened in several regions: Karakalpakstan, Jizzakh, Kashkadarya, Namangan, Samarkand, Syrdarya, Surkhandarya, and Tashkent.
The project provides for simplifying the process of visiting mountainous and border territories. Border troops of the State Security Service (SSS) are asked to ensure the possibility of obtaining special permits for citizens of Uzbekistan and foreign tourists through the Unified Portal of Interactive Public Services within two months. This permit must be issued electronically within ten days, and the Ministry of Digital Technologies must integrate this service with the Unified National Tourism Platform.
Entrepreneurs working in the field of active tourism are offered exemption from customs duties when importing certain transport, equipment, and gear from January 1, 2027, to January 1, 2030. The list includes about 40 items, among which are quad bikes, UTV, SSV, and buggy off-road vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, autocaravans, jet skis, parachutes, paragliders, delta wings, as well as mountain and mountaineering equipment and water tourism equipment.
Starting from 2027, projects for the development of road, engineering, and other infrastructure at selected active tourism sites will gradually be included in state programs. Funding for these projects may come from the state budget, international grants, private investments, and other legal sources. Furthermore, authorities plan to develop a special procedure for the movement of buses and minibusses in mountainous areas, including the 'Charkvak', 'Zaamin' routes, and passage over the Kamchik pass. Preparations are also planned for introducing a system of insurance for services in this area.
A proposal has been put forward in Uzbekistan to restore abandoned airfields and runways for use in the tourism sector. This initiative is enshrined in a draft presidential decree concerning the development of active tourism.
The Tourism Committee reported that after landscaping, these facilities will be leased to private entrepreneurs. It is planned that they can be used for light aviation, paragliding, and parachuting. Additionally, there is a provision for renting buildings to create training centers designed to prepare qualified personnel.
Significant attention is being paid to promoting small aviation. The Civil Aviation Agency proposes appointing a state regulator with expanded powers in the field of aircraft certification and registration.
To support entrepreneurs engaged in active tourism, it is proposed to exempt them from customs duties when importing approximately 40 different types of equipment. This equipment includes quad bikes, buggies, jet skis, auto-campers, parachutes, paragliders, and mountain hiking gear.
The stipulated benefits will take effect on January 1, 2027, and last until January 1, 2030. Starting in 2027, projects related to developing infrastructure at active tourism sites will be able to be included in state programs.
Previously, the development of a draft presidential decree aimed at stimulating active forms of tourism was announced. As part of this work, a list of 162 natural sites with high development potential was compiled.
