Uzbekistan and Arup to develop master plans for 30 new tourism zones by 2030

Uzbekistan is set to develop 30 new tourism areas by 2030, each guided by a detailed master plan. The Tourism Committee’s leadership met with representatives of Arup — a British engineering and consulting firm with global standing in urban and infrastructure planning — and approved a proposed memorandum of understanding, according to uza.uz, the official Uzbek news agency. Arup has also announced its intention to open a representative office in Tashkent, reinforcing the long-term nature of the partnership.

Each master plan is designed to integrate transport links, accommodation, recreation and supporting services into a coherent visitor experience. The approach signals a step beyond isolated hotel projects: these are complete destinations, planned from the ground up. A dedicated Project Office for Tourism Infrastructure Development, established under the Tourism Committee by presidential resolution in April 2026, will coordinate the work across all 30 zones.

The programme sits within the broader framework of the national “Uzbekistan 2030” development strategy, which sets a target of 30 large tourism clusters and 15 million foreign visitors per year, as reported by Caspian Post. Reaching 10.3 million arrivals in the first nine months of 2026 already puts that headline number within realistic reach well ahead of schedule.

For travellers, the pipeline of new destinations means that Uzbekistan’s geography — from the high Tian Shan foothills to the ancient cities of the Silk Road and the wild landscapes of the Aral Sea region — will become progressively more accessible and better equipped in the years ahead.