THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY DURING THE YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE AND ITS IMPACT ON NATIONAL ECONOMIC GROWTH IN UZBEKISTAN

Abstract

This article examines the evolution of the tourism sector in Uzbekistan since the country gained independence in 1991 and evaluates its contribution to national economic growth. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines descriptive statistical analysis of official tourism indicators with a review of national development strategies, the study traces the sector's transformation from a marginal activity into a strategically prioritized industry. The findings indicate that liberalization of the visa regime, infrastructure investment, and institutional reform have been the principal drivers of growth in international arrivals, tourism receipts, and employment. The article concludes that tourism has become an increasingly significant, though still under-utilized, engine of diversification for the national economy, and it proposes directions for further research and policy development.