Khorezm region in Uzbekistan is rapidly transforming into a more complex and attractive tourism hub, where hospitality, urban development and transport infrastructure are being upgraded in parallel. Over the past nine years, 280 hotels and guest houses have been built, the regional accommodation capacity has increased fourfold, and 11 new tourist facilities have been commissioned, supporting a tenfold rise in foreign tourist arrivals in just five years.
Local authorities are now moving to a new stage: the creation of a dedicated tourist town designed to extend visitor stays in the region and better distribute tourist flows between historical centers and newly developed areas. This project aims to build a modern hospitality and leisure ecosystem that can host significantly more guests while maintaining the unique historical atmosphere of Khorezm.
Tourist town as a new anchor for Khorezm
The new tourist town will be developed on a site of 12.3 hectares and is planned as a compact, walkable urban cluster combining hotels, a museum, restaurants, retail outlets and diverse service enterprises. Within one integrated complex, visitors will be able to stay, explore, dine, shop and relax, without needing to leave the area or rely heavily on car transport. This concentration of functions greatly increases the commercial value of the site and creates a single, recognisable destination on the tourism map of Central Asia.
The project is expected to generate thousands of new jobs across hospitality, retail, services and facility management. For investors and operators, this means demand not only for hotel brands and restaurant concepts but also for high quality furnishings, interior solutions, construction materials and building technologies that meet international standards while adapting to local cultural expectations.
Architecture grounded in historical heritage
The architectural concept of the tourist town is built around Khorezm’s centuries-old urban planning traditions. Designers are using as a reference the historical layout and street network of the ancient city of Vaziri, which became the first capital of the Khiva Khanate in 1511. This approach is intended to preserve the visual and spatial logic of traditional Khorezm cities while integrating contemporary construction methods and modern service standards.
By reflecting the geometry and rhythm of historic streets within a new development, the project opens opportunities for distinctive facades, locally inspired public spaces and interiors that tell a cultural story. This blend of heritage and modernity can be particularly attractive for international hospitality and design brands looking to showcase region-specific concepts rather than generic global templates.
Infrastructure, green spaces and sustainability
A significant share of the town’s territory will be given over to landscaped green zones and walking alleys. The plan includes cascaded fountains and internal canals, which not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also create a cooler microclimate and a comfortable pedestrian environment. These features are designed to encourage longer, more relaxed stays and support a street level retail and café culture.
Parking areas will be equipped with canopies fitted with solar panels, signalling a deliberate shift toward more sustainable energy use in the tourism sector. Within the complex, new recreation areas will be created that are free from car traffic, improving safety and air quality. Such decisions highlight that Khorezm is not only increasing its tourism capacity but also experimenting with greener infrastructure models that can be replicated in other parts of the region.
Transport, logistics and redistribution of tourist flows
The authorities emphasise that consistent development of transport, logistics and tourism infrastructure in Khorezm is already driving a steady increase in visitor numbers. The new tourist town is positioned as a tool to reduce the tourist load on the UNESCO listed Ichan Kala, which today attracts most of the traffic, and to create new routes and services for travellers. By offering alternative attractions within the same region, Khorezm can spread flows more evenly, improve the quality of the visitor experience and minimise pressure on sensitive historical sites.
For businesses, this redistribution of tourist flows means new pockets of demand around the town’s hotels, museum, restaurants and shopping streets. It also implies a growing need for coordinated logistics — from construction and fit out phases to ongoing supply chains for furniture, equipment, décor, light fixtures and maintenance services.
Why this matters for international construction and design companies
For international companies in furniture, construction, interior and exterior manufacturing, trade, design and architecture, the Khorezm tourist town project is a clear signal that Uzbekistan is building a more sophisticated and investment friendly tourism ecosystem. A fourfold expansion of the hotel stock and the launch of a new integrated tourist town point to rising demand for modern accommodation, public spaces and commercial interiors, along with a willingness to experiment with sustainable technologies and culturally rooted design.
Entry or expansion in this market can allow foreign brands and suppliers to secure early positions in a growing regional hub that connects heritage tourism with contemporary urban development. Projects of this scale typically require long term partnerships in construction, fit out, furniture, lighting, landscape design and urban amenities, opening space for both direct investment and collaboration with local players across Central Asia.
