In recent years, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan have been increasing investment in tourism and improving infrastructure. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
According to a comprehensive report by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the total contribution of tourism to GDP in Central Asia increased by 17.7% in one year. In comparison, in North-East Asia this figure rose by 8.7%, and in South-East Asia by 7.6%.
Employment growth
Central Asia leads the world in the growth rate of tourism employment. Over the year, the number of jobs in the sector increased by 9.5%. In Sub-Saharan Africa, growth was 4.8%, and in North Africa 4.6%.
Visitor spending
Significant growth was also recorded in the Visitor Exports indicator, which reflects revenues from international travelers. In 2025, this indicator in Central Asia increased by 26.4%. For comparison, in North-East Asia growth was 10.6%, and in Oceania 8.3%.
Investment growth
Central Asia entered the top three regions in the world in terms of tourism investment growth. Over the year, the volume of investment in the region's tourism industry increased by 12.4%.
Contribution to the economy
In 2025, the total contribution of the tourism sector to the Central Asian economy amounted to USD 20.1 billion, or 4.3% of the region's total economy. For comparison, in 2019, before the pandemic, this figure was USD 15.8 billion, or 4.5% of the economy. Thus, over six years, tourism's contribution to the economy in monetary terms increased by 27.1%.
Employment
The tourism industry also plays an important role in providing employment. In 2025, the tourism sector in Central Asia provided about 1.7 million jobs, which is 5.8% of total employment in the region.
The dynamics of indicators are as follows: - 2019 — 1.6 million jobs (6.0% of total employment); - 2025 — 1.7 million jobs (5.8%); - 2026 (forecast) — 1.7 million jobs (5.9%); - 2036 (forecast) — 2.2 million jobs (6.3%).
In other words, today every 17th job in Central Asia belongs to the tourism sector. According to forecasts, by 2036 employment in tourism in the region may increase to 2.2 million jobs. This means that between 2026 and 2036, an additional approximately 400 thousand jobs will be created.
Countries forming tourist flows
According to WTTC data, in 2025 the countries with the most tourists to Central Asia were: - Kazakhstan — 29%; - Uzbekistan — 22%; - Russia — 20%; - Kyrgyzstan — 19%; - China — 2%; - other countries of the world — 8%.
Destinations chosen by Central Asian residents
In 2025, the most popular destinations for Central Asian residents were Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan: 25% and 23%, respectively. They are followed by Kyrgyzstan (18%), Russia (16%), and Turkey (6%).
Thus, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan hold leading positions in the region's tourism market. They not only form the main flow of tourists to Central Asia but also lead among the most frequent tourist destinations for the region's residents.