AGP Executive Report

Ebola Rules Hit World Cup Travel: The U.S. says DR Congo’s squad must stay in a “bubble” in Belgium and isolate for 21 days before entering the U.S., or risk being denied entry—after the team already shifted preparations to Europe as Ebola fears grow. Airport Screening Tightens: Atlanta airport has started screening travelers from DR Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, with Houston set to add screening next week. Uzbekistan–China Tourism Push: Uzbekistan and China expanded tourism cooperation in Xi’an, focusing on joint routes, Chinese-branded hotels, and new resort and MICE ideas. Connectivity Moves Forward: Fly Khiva launches direct Istanbul–Termez flights from 30 May, while Tajikistan and Uzbekistan coordinate to reduce mobile network interference in border areas. Eid al-Adha on the Home Front: Uzbekistan’s Mirziyoyev congratulated pilgrims in Mecca and approved social support measures for vulnerable groups ahead of the holiday.

Tourism Diplomacy: Uzbekistan and China are stepping up tourism cooperation after a forum in Xi’an, with plans for new joint routes, Chinese-branded hotels, and themed parks plus MICE (business events) development. Air Connectivity: Fly Khiva launches direct Istanbul–Termez flights from 30 May 2026, aiming to boost cultural tourism and business travel between Turkey and Central Asia. Border Tech Upgrade: Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are jointly improving mobile network quality in border areas by measuring and adjusting radio frequencies to cut cross-border interference. Eid al-Adha Focus: President Mirziyoyev congratulated Uzbek pilgrims in Makkah ahead of Eid al-Adha, while Uzbekistan also approved expanded social support measures for vulnerable groups. Reality Check (non-tourism, but travel-relevant): Ebola fears are reshaping World Cup logistics—DR Congo’s team is being pushed into isolation rules and “bubble” arrangements in Belgium before any U.S. travel, even as experts say the risk to casual fans is low. Rumor Control: Uzbekistan’s education ministry denied social media claims about a “summer pledge” requiring student guarantee letters.

Cross-Border Connectivity: Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are tackling mobile interference along their shared frontier after joint radio-frequency measurements in the 2300 MHz band, aiming to stop overlapping signals that degrade calls and data for border communities. Eid al-Adha & Hajj Support: President Mirziyoyev congratulated Uzbek pilgrims in Mecca and backed expanded Eid al-Adha social measures, including major medical support for children and cancer patients, plus state-funded Hajj travel for 100 people. Air Links for Tourism: Oman Air will launch direct Muscat–Tashkent flights from 2 June (3x weekly), adding a Middle East gateway for Uzbek tourism and business travel. Regional Travel Ease: Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan highway checkpoints in Batken moved to 24-hour operations during peak season (until 1 Oct). Business & Tourism Growth: Samarkand region officials met German partners in Stuttgart to discuss joint projects and tourism development, with a German business visit planned for August. World Cup Disruption Watch: Ebola fears are reshaping DR Congo’s World Cup buildup, with training events shifted abroad—an ongoing logistics story that could affect regional travel planning.

Race Across the World Finale: BBC One’s “Race Across the World” crowned Jo Diop and Kush Burman as winners after a sprint to the final checkpoint in Hatgal, Mongolia—beating Andrew and Molly by just three hours, with the route spanning Sicily to Central Asia and including Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan–Qatar Investment: In Tashkent, Uzbekistan and Qatar discussed expanding bilateral investment and trade, with focus areas including banking, mining, chemicals, transport logistics, tourism, and agro-clusters. Fintech Spotlight: At PLUS Forum Digital Uzbekistan, 8B co-founder Bogdan Zadorozhny argued that central-bank unified QR interoperability is the defining fintech shift, raising the question of who controls payment infrastructure. Tourism Infrastructure: Tashkent Metro is set for major upgrades—new funding, governance changes, and a distance-based fare system planned for 2027. Ebola Disruption (Regional Context): DR Congo canceled World Cup camp plans in Kinshasa and shifted preparations to Belgium as Ebola fears and US entry restrictions tightened.

Ebola Disrupts World Cup Prep: DR Congo has cancelled its Kinshasa pre-tournament camp and shifted training to Belgium after an Ebola outbreak, while FIFA says it’s monitoring closely and coordinating medical guidance with health authorities—raising fresh uncertainty for the team’s summer plans that include matches vs Portugal and Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan Pilgrimage Boost: Samarkand’s Imam Al-Bukhari complex has welcomed over one million visitors in its first month since reopening, with upgraded facilities and expanded visitor infrastructure. Holiday Calendar: Uzbekistan set Eid al-Adha for 27 May 2026, with additional non-working days to follow. Metro Upgrade Push: Tashkent Metro received $84.3m in state funding and is moving toward a distance-based fare system by 2027. Hospitality Newcomer: Reikartz launched a small, premium “Dacha Charvak” retreat in the Charvak mountains, opening June 2026. Film Tourism Incentive: Uzbekistan unveiled a 25% film rebate at Cannes to attract international productions and boost film tourism.

Samarkand Pilgrimage Boom: The Imam Al-Bukhari complex in Payaryk reopened after major reconstruction and has already welcomed over 1 million visitors in its first month, with new mosque, research center, Hadith school, museum, and upgraded visitor infrastructure. Tashkent Metro Upgrade: President Mirziyoyev approved US$84.3M for metro development through 2030, aiming for 1.8M daily riders, 79 stations, and 103 km of track—plus a governance overhaul. Fare Modernization: The metro will also introduce a distance-based fare system starting Jan 1, 2027, with discounts and daily/weekly/monthly passes. Aviation Tech Push: IATA launched the BCS Digital Baggage Platform to speed baggage messaging and support the industry’s shift to newer standards. Tourism & Film Incentives: Uzbekistan rolled out a 25% film rebate at Cannes to boost film tourism, while Bukhara wrapped up its Gold Embroidery and Jewelry festival drawing international craft lovers. Sports Tourism Watch: DR Congo cancelled a World Cup camp in Kinshasa due to Ebola; FIFA says it’s monitoring closely.

New Air Links: Kostanay Airport says it will add flights to Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Istanbul and Tashkent, with more international routes in the pipeline—good news for Uzbekistan-bound travelers. Tourism Momentum: Uzbekistan is already seeing a surge: 4.05M foreign visitors in Jan–Apr, up 29.9% year-on-year, and growth is expected to keep climbing. Film Tourism Push: Uzbekistan unveiled a 25% film rebate at Cannes and pitched shooting locations to global producers—another lever to turn screens into bookings. Digital Convenience: Uzbekistan Airways now supports Apple Pay and Google Pay on its website/app, speeding up ticketing for tourists. Global Spotlight (Sports): Portugal named Cristiano Ronaldo in its World Cup squad, with Uzbekistan in Group K—plus DR Congo’s Ebola situation remains a live concern for travel plans. Culture on the Map: Bukhara wrapped up its International Gold Embroidery and Jewelry festival, reinforcing craft tourism. Regional Business: Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee will lead a major delegation to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in early June, with tourism and green development on the agenda.

World Cup Buzz: Portugal just confirmed a 27-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Cristiano Ronaldo (41) set for a record sixth appearance and a symbolic “plus one” tribute to late Diogo Jota. Portugal’s Group K run starts June 17 in Houston vs DR Congo, then Uzbekistan on June 23, and Colombia on June 27. Eid Travel: With a five-day Eid Al Adha break, last-minute travel deals are still being marketed, including self-drive getaways. Air Connectivity: Uzbekistan Airways is going more digital and more connected—Apple Pay/Google Pay are now available for ticket payments, and a new Etihad codeshare will let passengers book single tickets via Tashkent to eight Uzbek cities starting Aug 9, 2026. Culture & Sports: Samarkand and New York are pushing tourism cooperation, while Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan table tennis federations signed a memorandum covering training, joint events, and sports tourism.

Air Connectivity Boost: Etihad Airways and Uzbekistan Airways have signed a codeshare deal, with first flights from 9 August 2026. Etihad passengers can book one ticket via Tashkent to eight Uzbek cities (Samarkand, Urgench, Nukus, Termez, Fergana, Namangan, Andizhan, Bukhara), while Uzbekistan Airways travelers gain easier access to Abu Dhabi on Etihad’s daily service. Tourism Policy Push: Uzbekistan is rolling out a new tourism project management system, mapping sites from “attractive location” to “promotion,” creating master plans for 34 major tourism sites and building 31 tourism locations, plus a big infrastructure funding jump (total 950 billion soums this year). Regional Business & Travel Demand: Uzbekistan’s inbound tourism hit 4.05 million visitors in Jan–Apr 2026 (+29.9%), and trade/tourism ties with partners like Türkiye keep expanding. Ebola Travel Uncertainty: US Ebola entry restrictions tied to DR Congo are raising questions for 2026 World Cup travel plans, adding a fresh layer of uncertainty for visitors from affected regions.

Parole & child-safety clampdown: Uzbekistan’s Senate approved tighter parole/probation rules—stronger supervision, more registration requirements, and clearer court procedures for revoking parole—while lawmakers in Tashkent pushed for urgent fixes after children in Bektemir’s “Nurafshon” mahalla reportedly must cross the busy Tashkent ring road to reach schools, with an underpass project still unclear on funding and timing. Air connectivity boost: Etihad and Uzbekistan Airways signed a codeshare starting May 15, with first flights from Aug 9, letting Etihad passengers reach eight Uzbek cities via Tashkent and giving Uzbek travelers easier access to Abu Dhabi. Tourism system upgrade: Uzbekistan is rolling out a project-management model for tourism infrastructure, linking “attractive location → project → infrastructure → entrepreneur → promotion → tourist,” plus major regional funding. Regional diplomacy: Mirziyoyev met Serbia’s Vucic and Azerbaijan’s Aliyev in Baku, with trade, industry, and tourism highlighted. Travel reality check: Russia’s nonstop flight network is expected to shrink this summer amid sanctions and drone threats, limiting Russians to fewer destinations.

Aviation Boost: Etihad Airways and Uzbekistan Airways just signed a codeshare deal, effective May 15, with joint flights starting August 9—Etihad passengers can book one ticket via Tashkent to eight Uzbek cities (Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva-area Urgench, Nukus, Termez, Fergana, Namangan, Andizhan), while Uzbekistan Airways travelers gain easy access to Etihad’s daily Abu Dhabi service. Tourism Growth: Uzbekistan says it welcomed 4.05 million foreign visitors in Jan–Apr 2026 (+29.9%), and the government is rolling out a new tourism project management system—“attractive location → project → infrastructure → entrepreneur → promotion → tourist”—with major site master plans and big infrastructure funding. Culture on the Move: Tashkent is hosting open-air jazz nights that keep turning the city into a global music stop, and Urgench is set to get a new “Lazgi and Avesta” museum to protect UNESCO-listed Lazgi dance and the Avesta heritage. Regional Context: Turkic States cooperation is also pushing digital and AI initiatives, with Uzbekistan proposing a “Digital Turkic Corridor.”

Air Connectivity Boost: Etihad and Uzbekistan Airways have signed a codeshare deal, effective May 15, with joint flights starting Aug 9—Etihad passengers can reach eight Uzbek cities via Tashkent, while Uzbekistan travelers get easier access to Abu Dhabi. Tourism Demand Climbing: Uzbekistan welcomed 4,048,417 foreign visitors in Jan–Apr 2026, up 29.9% year-on-year, led by Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan. Cultural Heritage in Focus: Urgench will get a new “Lazgi and Avesta” museum, built to preserve UNESCO-listed Khorezm Lazgi dance and the ancient Avesta heritage. Destination Development Push: The government is rolling out a tourism project management system—linking “attractive location” to infrastructure, entrepreneurs, promotion and tourists—plus major infrastructure funding. Regional Spotlight: President Mirziyoyev traveled to Baku for the UN World Urban Forum, signaling continued international engagement as tourism and investment momentum grows.

Tourism Delivery Push: Uzbekistan is rolling out a project management system for tourism, linking each “attractive location” to a full chain of project, infrastructure, entrepreneurs, promotion, and visitors—backed by master plans for 34 major sites, 31 tourism locations, and a big infrastructure budget (450bn soums extra; 950bn soums total this year). Air Connectivity Boost: Etihad and Uzbekistan Airways have signed a codeshare that starts May 15, with first bookable travel from Aug 9—Etihad passengers can reach eight Uzbek cities via Tashkent, while Uzbekistan Airways travelers get smoother access to Abu Dhabi. Turkic Tech & Tourism Angle: At the Turkic States summit in Turkestan, Uzbekistan’s proposals focused on AI and digital cooperation, including a “Digital Turkic Corridor” and cybersecurity alliance—plus tourism and innovation priorities. On-the-ground Travel News: Samarkand is also moving ahead with new helicopter tours for visitors.

Tourism Infrastructure Push: Uzbekistan is rolling out a new tourism project management system built around a clear chain—“attractive location → project → infrastructure → entrepreneur → promotion → tourist”—and is setting up a dedicated “Project Office for Tourism Infrastructure Development.” The plan targets master plans for 34 major sites and development of 31 tourism locations, with 450 billion soums earmarked for regional tourism infrastructure (bringing this year’s total to 950 billion soums). Air Connectivity Boost: Etihad and Uzbekistan Airways signed a codeshare deal effective May 15, with first joint flights from August 9—Etihad passengers can book one ticket to eight Uzbek cities via Tashkent, while Uzbekistan Airways travelers gain easier access to Abu Dhabi. Regional Turkic Agenda: At the OTS summit in Turkestan, Uzbekistan proposed AI and a “Digital Turkic Corridor,” plus a cybersecurity alliance—linking tech and tourism priorities. New On-the-Ground Experiences: Samarkand launched helicopter sightseeing tours (15 minutes, up to five passengers) starting May 13, priced at 1.6 million soums per person.

Aviation Deal: Etihad Airways and Uzbekistan Airways just signed a codeshare, effective May 15, with first bookable flights from Aug 9—Etihad passengers can reach eight Uzbek cities (Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva-area Urgench, Nukus, Termez, Fergana, Namangan, Andizhan) on one ticket, while Uzbekistan Airways travelers get easier access to Etihad’s daily Abu Dhabi service, plus a planned Etihad Guest–UzAirPlus frequent-flyer link. Turkic Integration Push: At the Turkic States summit in Turkestan, Uzbekistan’s Mirziyoyev backed an AI cooperation network, a “Digital Turkic Corridor,” and a cybersecurity alliance as leaders also kick-started construction of the Turkic Civilization Center in Turkistan. Tourism Upgrades: Samarkand launched 15-minute helicopter sightseeing tours (up to five passengers) and is nearing completion of a cable car at the Silk Road Samarkand complex. Road & Safety: A Tashkent district crash involving a Yutong bus and a Tracker left multiple people injured; preliminary findings point to the Tracker driver’s fault. Hospitality Growth: Tashkent is set to explore a new business-hotel network under China’s All Seasons brand.

Turkic Summit Tech Push: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev used the Turkic states summit in Turkestan to propose an AI cooperation network, a “Digital Turkic Corridor,” and a Turkic cybersecurity alliance—aimed at deeper integration as global institutions wobble. New Air Links for Travelers: Uzbekistan Airways is launching Tashkent–Abu Dhabi flights, with Etihad codeshare access starting Aug 9 (tickets from May 25), plus one-ticket connections to eight Uzbek cities and loyalty program integration. Hospitality Growth in Tashkent: A Chinese-backed plan could bring the All Seasons business hotel network to Tashkent, with training and infrastructure support for foreign visitors. Samarkand Adds Aerial Tourism: Helicopter sightseeing tours now run from Samarkand’s Silk Road complex (15 minutes, up to five passengers), with a cable car project nearing completion. Tourism Policy on the Global Stage: Uzbekistan presented initiatives at a UN tourism meeting, including support for an International Code of Safe Tourism and preparations for 2027’s sustainable tourism year.