Fergana region to launch $300 million in tourism projects by 2027

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has announced an ambitious roadmap for the socio-economic development of Fergana region, with a primary focus on unlocking its vast tourism potential. During a recent meeting, the president revealed plans to launch 50 major tourism projects with a total value of $300 million by the end of 2027, aiming to increase the influx of foreign visitors by two to three times.

Photo: Presidential Press Service

The development strategy involves specializing different areas based on their unique assets. Kokand and Margilan are set to become centers for pilgrimage tourism, while the Sokh, Kuva, Besharik, and Fergana districts will focus on medical and ecological tourism. As part of this shift, the president emphasized the importance of safety and infrastructure. A new emergency response center has already been established at the Karkidon reservoir in the Kuva district to protect holidaymakers, and officials have been directed to transform 25 other reservoirs across Uzbekistan into similar recreation zones.

In Kokand, the government is taking significant steps to prioritize cultural heritage. Three new pedestrian tourism routes covering 64 heritage sites have been developed. To facilitate the preservation of these monuments, the president ordered the phased relocation of state institutions currently occupying historical buildings. By the end of this year, a former industrial building belonging to the Kokand drilling equipment plant will be renovated to house the city administration and 17 other government agencies, freeing up historic structures for tourism use.

The Sokh district, an exclave with unique geographical features, will also undergo a major transformation. A new 130-hectare tourism complex is planned along the Sokh River, spanning the Sarikanda, Istiqlol, and Rovon neighborhoods. The President noted that local entrepreneurs are ready to invest in eco-tourism and agrotourism if provided with the necessary infrastructure. A specialized master plan for Sokh will be developed with the assistance of international experts, and a three-year comprehensive urban renewal program will be implemented to modernize the district’s appearance.

Other key projects highlighted during the meeting include the Shakhimardan–Yordon international resort zone, the Vodil agrotourism cluster centered around raspberry plantations, and the Chimgan sanatorium zone. Additionally, the opening of the Burkhoniddin Marginoni scientific and enlightenment complex in Margilan is expected to play a crucial role in showcasing Uzbekistan’s rich historical values to the world.

To complement these tourism initiatives, the president also announced the creation of a free trade zone and new logistics warehouses in the region to bolster overall economic activity.