UZBEKISTAN TO SUBSIDISE ITS TOUR OPERATORS US$100 PER TOURIST FROM MALAYSIA, INDONESIA

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17 (Bernama) -- The Uzbekistan government will provide a subsidy of US$100 per Malaysian or Indonesian tourist to its local tour operators in a bid to attract visitors from these two countries under the ‘Umrah Plus’ programme.

The Central Asian nation aims to welcome 100,000 tourists from Malaysia and Indonesia in 2026 and 2027.

The programme will require Malaysian or Indonesian tourists to transit in Uzbekistan for a few days before continuing their journey to perform the umrah in Saudi Arabia, the Uzbek Embassy in Malaysia said in a statement, Saturday.

According to Uzbek English online news portal Daryo, the scheme is expected to be finalised in two weeks.

The government is also working to develop more direct routes between major cities in Malaysia, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, and Saudi Arabia to ensure better air connectivity and seamless experience for visitors. 

The embassy also said tourism and culture have become some of the key areas of partnership between Uzbekistan and Malaysia.

“There is enormous potential for expanding ties in the tourism sector, which will bring economic benefits and promote cultural exchange between countries.

“Both countries belong to the Islamic world and take great pride in our shared Islamic cultural heritage. Uzbekistan’s historic cities such as Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva were ancient centres of Islamic culture and learning,” the statement read. 

The embassy said in recent years, Uzbekistan has made extensive efforts to create Muslim-friendly infrastructure, including new prayer spaces and halal hotels and restaurants.

The Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan is learning from Malaysia’s Islamic Tourism Centre under the Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry to develop Muslim-friendly tourism and hospitality experience.

In future, Uzbekistan’s gastronomic and winter tourism are expected to become popular among Malaysians including the young, it said.

Currently, Uzbekistan Airways, Batik Air, and AirAsia are operating direct flights eight times a week on the Kuala Lumpur – Tashkent – Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi – Tashkent – Langkawi routes.

Nationals of both countries are also eligible for visa-free visits for up to 30 days, the statement added. 

-- BERNAMA