News about tourism: events, facts and developments on tafs uz.
64 stories
According to WTTC data cited by Visual Capitalist, the US topped the ranking of the largest tourism economies in 2025 with $2.63 trillion, ahead of China ($1.75 trillion) by $880 billion. Germany became Europe's leader, while Japan received a record 42.7 million foreign tourists.
Sevara AzamovaBlogger Aiza-Liluna Ai stated in her Telegram channel that she does not understand those who want to fly to Paris in 2026, and sharply criticized the city. Her statement came amid mass protests in France, accompanied by arson and clashes with police.
Javlon TursunovIn an interview with Gazeta, BCG Managing Director Suresh Subudhi and BCG Director in Tashkent Vasily Triandafilidi discussed the prospects of Uzbekistan's aviation: market growth of 16% per year, turning airports into economic platforms, dependence on imported jet fuel, PPP experience, and barriers to domestic flights.
Sevara AzamovaFrance's tourism industry is worried over riots in Nice, Paris and Lyon. According to MKG Consulting, between 19 and 20 October the lead of Paris hotels in bookings compared with 2025 fell sharply. The US, China and Germany advised their citizens to be cautious. Experts assess the consequences depending on how long the unrest lasts.
Sevara AzamovaThe UAE Federal Tax Authority, together with operator Planet, has introduced an artificial intelligence-based platform that reduces the tourist VAT refund period from nine days to one working day. According to FTA head Abdulaziz Al Mulla, this enhances the country's attractiveness as a destination for tourism and shopping.
Sevara AzamovaJetBlue Vacations and Virgin Voyages have introduced a joint adults-only 'Do Not Disturb' package: from March 4 to 8, 2027, participants will fly from New York's JFK to Fort Lauderdale on a special child-free flight, then embark on a four-night cruise aboard the Brilliant Lady with stops in Key West and the Bahamas.
Javlon TursunovFrom October 21 to 24, visits to the Kamchatka nature parks Nalychevo, Yuzhno-Kamchatsky, Vilyuchinsky and Bystrinsky were restricted due to an approaching cyclone bringing heavy rain and storm winds. Klyuchevskoy Park is closed for the winter season.
Sevara AzamovaAccording to preliminary data from the Greek statistical agency ELSTAT, in August 2026 the number of arrivals in hotels, campsites and rented rooms reached 7,429,931 (+2.6%), and overnight stays — 34,685,695 (+2.1%). Foreigners accounted for 76.7% of arrivals and 84% of overnight stays, while short-term rental accommodation grew faster than hotels and campsites.
Javlon TursunovAccording to the National Statistics Committee, in January–September 2026, 5.9 million citizens of Uzbekistan traveled abroad for tourism purposes — 132.7 thousand more than a year earlier. Kyrgyzstan was the most visited destination. Over the same period, 10.3 million tourists arrived in the country.
Sevara AzamovaOn October 20, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on improving the emergency response system and the safety of reservoirs. The plans include reducing rescuers' arrival time, reorganizing 25 fire and rescue units, creating the 'Madad' center, expanding rescue services at reservoirs, and benefits for the tourism business.
Sevara AzamovaIn 2025, Uzbekistan received a record 11.7 million foreign tourists. In the first quarter of 2026, arrivals grew by 37%, allowing the country to enter the top five fastest-growing tourist destinations in the world. The authorities are expanding subsidies for airlines and tour operators, investing in airports and railways, simplifying the visa regime, and promoting the country in new markets, including China. The 2026–2030 strategy envisions 20 million tourists per year, tourism's contribution to GDP at 7%, and exports of
Sevara AzamovaAirbnb, together with insurer Chubb, is offering optional weather protection for guests from ten European countries. If at least 1.5 mm of precipitation falls per hour between 8:00 and 20:00 at the place of stay, the traveler receives a payout from €50 to €1000 per day. Rain data is taken automatically from NASA, ECMWF and NOAA — no paperwork is required.
Javlon TursunovAccording to Turkey's 2027 draft budget, tourism spending has been increased to $244.5 million. Revenue targets: $70 billion in 2027, $73.5 billion in 2028, and $78.5 billion in 2029. In 2025 a record of $65.2 billion was set, while the 2026 target was lowered from $68 billion to $65 billion due to the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Javlon TursunovRussia has abolished visas for Vietnamese tourists, businesspeople, delegations and transit passengers. Flow from the EU fell from 5 million in 2019 to ~160,000 in 2025; the authorities are betting on Asia and the Middle East, but Chinese figures lag behind official targets.
Aziz KarimovTour operators report a sharp rise in demand for ornithological tours: GetYourGuide reports a 65% year-on-year growth in bookings from January to August 2026, while Voyageurs du Monde reports a 57% rise in the second half of the year. Experts name the Danube Delta, northern Greece, Portugal and Iceland as the best destinations in Europe, while the AllClear Travel ranking is topped by Manu National Park in Peru and the Tambopata Reserve.
Aziz KarimovOn October 18, 2026, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in Samarkand region and, by tradition, began the trip with a visit to the Imam Bukhari memorial complex in the Payarik district. He was briefed on the fulfillment of instructions regarding the development of the complex and pilgrimage tourism. According to the press service, after the reconstruction completed in March, the complex serves more than 65 thousand visitors per day.
Aziz KarimovAt the World Travel Awards Europe 2026 ceremony, held on 17 October in the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro, Lisbon won the titles of Europe's leading city destination and leading cruise destination. Portugal was named Europe's leading destination, Montenegro the leading nature destination, while Turkish Airlines and Zurich Airport topped the transport categories.
Otabek YusupovTour operator Golfbreaks has compiled a list of 'underrated' golf destinations in Europe based on 2026 booking data. Varna in Bulgaria tops the list, where demand has grown by 47% since the start of the year. Also on the list are Comporta and Tróia (Portugal), north-east Mallorca, Gimsøya (Norway), Biarritz, Tavira and Costa Navarino.
Aziz Karimov
