Uzbekistan’s Tourism Committee has explained a draft proposal regulating citizens’ overseas travel that remains under public consultation.
The committee said more than 8 million Uzbek citizens travelled abroad for tourism in 2025. It argued that the growing flow requires a mechanism to evacuate and assist travellers during emergencies.
The draft would establish a Safe Tourism fund. Tour operators would be asked to create a $50,000 reserve, with the money intended to compensate affected citizens and finance their evacuation and return to Uzbekistan.
Once the fund reaches the required reserve level, the contributions are expected to be returned to tour operators against guarantees. A separate procedure would govern the refunds.
The committee said it had discussed the proposal with tourism industry representatives and revised it in response to feedback. The draft has not been adopted, and comments are still being collected during the public consultation.
