Malaysia is gaining popularity among tourists from Uzbekistan. During the period from January to June 2026, over 16 thousand Uzbek citizens arrived in the country, representing a 62% increase compared to the same period last year.
This growth in tourist flow is attributed to the expansion of direct flights connecting Tashkent and Kuala Lumpur. It should be noted that in January-June 2025, about 10 thousand citizens of Uzbekistan visited Malaysia, which means an overall increase of more than 6 thousand people over the year.
Uzbekistan is also showing high growth rates among Central Asian countries. Overall, in the first six months of 2026, Malaysia received over 53 thousand visitors from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan, exceeding last year's figures by 23.3%.
Kazakhstan remains the largest market in the region, where the number of tourists grew by 11.8%, reaching 26.3 thousand people. The flow from Tajikistan increased by 60.2%, amounting to 2.1 thousand people, and from Kyrgyzstan by 13.7%, or about 4.2 thousand. Over 4.4 thousand arrivals were recorded from Turkmenistan during this period.
The appeal of Malaysia for Muslim travelers is linked to several factors, including the availability of developed halal infrastructure, a diverse selection of appropriate cuisine, as well as the accessibility of mosques and places for prayer.
The development of transport accessibility has also played a role: Kuala Lumpur has direct flights to Tashkent and Almaty. In July 2026, the frequency of flights between Tashkent and Kuala Lumpur was increased, and additional flights on this route are planned starting in October.
Central Asian tourists are increasingly preferring destinations that allow them to combine urban entertainment, cultural exploration, gastronomic experiences, beach holidays, nature, shopping, and other types of leisure activities in one trip.
Furthermore, plans have previously been announced for the holding of the Malaysia-Uzbekistan International Halal Fest 2027 forum and exhibition in Tashkent. The program of this festival could potentially include an exhibition, a business forum, B2B meetings, and investment sessions.