THE NUMBER OF FOREIGN TOURISTS VISITING TAJIKISTAN HAS INCREASED

In January–March 2026, the Republic of Tajikistan recorded significant growth in the tourism sector. According to statistical data, the number of foreign citizens visiting the country for various purposes — including business trips, leisure travel, and other objectives — reached 439.4 thousand people, which is 70.7 thousand more people or 19.2 percent higher compared to the same period last year.

Such growth is considered the result of the implementation of the state tourism development policy, improvements in the investment climate, expansion of international cooperation, and the promotion of Tajikistan’s tourism potential on the global stage.

Out of the total number of incoming foreign citizens, 371.3 thousand people were classified as tourists according to the methodology of the World Tourism Organization, which is 20.9 percent higher compared to the same period last year.

Analyses show that the majority of foreign visitors arrived from the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). During the first three months of 2026, their number amounted to 406.6 thousand people, accounting for 92.5 percent of the total number of arrivals. Of this number, 344.2 thousand people were registered as tourists.

Among CIS countries, the largest share belongs to the Republic of Uzbekistan, from which 247.1 thousand people, or 56.2 percent of all arrivals, visited Tajikistan. The Russian Federation ranked second with 104.7 thousand visitors, accounting for 23.8 percent. In addition, 40 thousand people arrived from the Kyrgyz Republic, 10.7 thousand from the Republic of Kazakhstan, and 1.9 thousand from Turkmenistan.

At the same time, the number of visitors from non-CIS countries has also continued to grow. In January–March 2026, 32.8 thousand people from non-CIS countries visited Tajikistan, of whom 27.1 thousand were classified as tourists.

The largest number of tourists came from the People’s Republic of China, totaling 11.7 thousand people. In addition, 5.1 thousand visitors arrived from Afghanistan, 2.4 thousand from the Islamic Republic of Iran, 2.1 thousand from the United States, and 1.6 thousand from Türkiye.

Alongside the growth in tourist flows, the service infrastructure has also expanded. In January–March 2026, 191 registered tourism companies were operating in the country. During the same period, 216 hotels provided services to guests, including 8 five-star hotels, 28 four-star hotels, and 18 three-star hotels.

In addition, the country had 53 hostels and motels, 57 sanatoriums, 4 children’s sanatoriums and health camps, 6 medical and wellness centers, 8 holiday homes, and 5 tourist and recreation bases in operation.

According to statistical data, the average number of employees working in tourism service entities amounted to 3,821 people, while revenue from service provision during this period reached 72 million 737.2 thousand somoni.

The development of the tourism sector can play an important role in creating new jobs, improving service quality, supporting the growth of small and medium-sized businesses, and further promoting Tajikistan on the international stage.