A two-day international tourism exhibition “Summer 2025” took place in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg on April-4, featuring tourism offerings from 16 countries, including Tajikistan.  Oblastnaya Gazeta reports that this year’s exhibition focused on health and wellness tourism, reflecting growing interest among Russian travelers.

According to Yuri Barzykin, Vice President of the Russian Union of Travel Industry, more than 40% of departures from Yekaterinburg in 2024 were to neighboring countries, including Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Abkhazia, and Belarus.  These destinations continue to enjoy strong demand, especially for tourism.

Tajikistan is actively working to attract more Russian tourists.  In 2024, the country welcomed 334,000 visitors from Russia, and the goal for 2025 is to increase this number to 500,000.

“In 2024, 334,000 Russians visited our country. This year, we are aiming for 500,000.  To achieve this, we are closely cooperating with various regions of Russia.  Tajikistan has more than 100 mountain peaks over 5,000 meters above sea level.  It’s a true paradise for mountaineers, offering routes of various difficulty levels. We are also actively promoting affordable health and wellness tourism — we have many thermal springs,” said Rustam Kholmatiyon, First Deputy Chairman of the Tourism Development Committee under the Government of Tajikistan.

The popularity of tours from Yekaterinburg to Tajikistan continues to grow.

Previously, Mikhail Maltsev, head of the Ural Tourism Association, highlighted Tajikistan’s enormous potential for tourism development.

He emphasized that the country is suitable for both budget travelers and luxury tourists. Culinary tours are particularly in demand, as traditional Tajik cuisine combines elements of Persian and Turkic culinary traditions.  The mountains attract climbers, while fans of exclusive experiences are drawn by opportunities like trophy hunting for mountain goats, with prices starting at one million rubles.

At the exhibition, Tajikistan’s potential in the field of ethno-tourism was also presented — one of the most promising forms of cultural and historical tourism.  Ethno-tourism helps preserve traditions, supports local communities, and attracts tourists interested in the country’s authentic cultural and natural heritage.

Tourism is considered one of the sectors, which are hoped to promote further development of the national economy.  However, tourism receipts-to-GDP ratio still remains very low.  

Tajikistan’s rich cultural heritage, hospitality and abundance of mountain snow peaks, rivers, lakes and recreational opportunities contribute to the development of country’s tourism industry.  In 2018, Tajik Government announced a year of tourism development.  The tourism sector is considered a priority for the development of Tajikistan’s economy.  At the same time, undeveloped infrastructure and low levels of quality of services delay the growth of the tourism industry.