Challenges in the Development of Wellness Tourism in Uzbekistan and Their Solutions

Jumaniyozova Nazokat Olim qizi
2nd-year Student, Tourism and Hospitality Program

Abstract: This article is devoted to addressing the challenges and shortcomings in the development of wellness tourism in our country and to identifying solutions for creating more favorable conditions for visitors. At present, numerous wellness facilities are operating nationwide, each with its own particular focus and methods of treatment. Despite the abundance of natural healing resources available in Uzbekistan, the sector remains underdeveloped, and even where progress has been made, consumers often lack sufficient access to information. In this article, we will examine the problems faced by wellness tourism and discuss potential solutions. In addition, we will review some of the most prominent wellness centers in our country.

Keywords: Wellness tourism, sanatoriums, statistical data, resources, infrastructure, innovative technologies.

In this article, we focus on wellness facilities. But what exactly are wellness facilities? They are defined as medical-recreational establishments that provide services aimed at restoring and strengthening health, preventing and treating illnesses, as well as offering opportunities for rest and relaxation.

Below, we highlight some of the existing problems in wellness tourism and their possible solutions:

• Outdated infrastructure (in certain sanatoriums).
• Insufficient advertising and information for foreign tourists.
• Low qualification of staff (massage therapists, physiotherapists, guides).
• Absence or malfunction of online booking systems.
• Weak integration among regional tourism clusters.
• Treatment methods that do not fully meet modern standards.
• Imbalance between pricing and service quality.

For instance, the problem of outdated infrastructure stems from the fact that many sanatoriums were built in the 1980s–1990s and no longer meet contemporary requirements. Similarly, even well-developed facilities are often poorly promoted, meaning that foreign visitors remain unaware of them. The shortage of qualified personnel—especially therapists and service staff—represents another critical challenge. A further issue is the lack of effective online booking systems. For example, if one wishes to visit a sanatorium, it is often impossible to check room availability in advance, which may cause significant inconvenience upon arrival. Additionally, regional tourism clusters tend to function in isolation, with little cooperation among sanatoriums located within the same area.

Below, we can observe some of the wellness facilities available in our country:

№	Wellness Facility	Location	Brief Description	Contact Number
1	Omonkhona Balneological Sanatorium	Boysun District	Specializes in balneotherapy; beneficial for dermatological and musculoskeletal conditions.	+97 530 29 63
2	Chortoq Sanatorium	Chortoq District	A balneological and climatic resort; offers therapeutic mud and baths with thermal mineral waters.	+69 412 64 44
3	Chimyon Sanatorium	Fergana District	Provides treatment for cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, and musculoskeletal disorders.	+90 390 49 47
4	Zomin Sanatorium	Zomin District	Specializes in the treatment of respiratory and neurological diseases.	+95 503 71 35
5	Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa Sanatorium	Bukhara City	A historic healing complex renowned for its therapeutic environment.	0-365 228 50 66

Proposed solutions to existing challenges:

• Modernization and technological re-equipment of sanatoria.
• Development of a dedicated marketing platform for wellness tourism (vlogs, websites, mobile applications).
• Promotion of wellness tourism among the local population to encourage the growth of domestic tourism.
• International cooperation through knowledge exchange with wellness centers in Russia, Kazakhstan, and China.
• Training of cross-disciplinary specialists combining expertise in both medicine and tourism.
• “All-in-one” packages integrating sanatorium services with excursions, dining, and transportation.
• Interactive QR code–based promotional materials (individual videos and content for each sanatorium).
• Integration of eco-tourism with wellness tourism (e.g., “Zomin-Eco + Sanatorium” combined experiences).

At present, significant work is being carried out to overcome the existing challenges. These sites are not only wellness destinations but also serve as eco-tourism hubs.

Conclusion: In this article, we have discussed the wellness facilities operating in Uzbekistan and examined possible solutions to the challenges they face. Tourism in our country is developing rapidly, and sanatoria and recreational centers are making a significant contribution to this growth. Consequently, special attention is being paid to this sector, and both the number and quality of wellness facilities are steadily increasing.

References:

1. Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, No. PQ–5052 (April 5, 2021) – On the Strategy for the Development of Tourism.
2. T.T. Saydaliyev. Fundamentals of Tourism. Textbook. Tashkent, 2021.
3. Official website of the Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan – www.uzbektourism.uz
4. International articles on wellness tourism – World Health Tourism Reports, 2022.
5. World Health Organization (WHO) – www.who.int
6. Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Heritage press releases – (uzbektourism.uz > News).
7. State Committee on Statistics of the Republic of Uzbekistan – www.stat.uz
8. Uzbekistan Medical Tourism, analytical article – www.medicaltourism.com.uz
9. Feruza Umarova. “Prospects for Wellness Tourism in Uzbekistan.” Research article, 2023.
10. United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) – www.unwto.org

Jumaniyozova Nazokat Olim kyzy was born in Toprakkale district of Khorezm region. Currently I am a 2nd year student of the Denov Institute of Entrepreneurship and Pedagogy of the Surkhandarya region in the direction of tourism and hospitality.