RUANGINDONESIA.ID — The Government of Uzbekistan, together with tourism industry stakeholders and the country’s Umrah association, has introduced significant opportunities for religious tourism cooperation with Indonesia through the Umrah Plus Uzbekistan program during the HUITM (Hajj and Umrah International Travel Market) 2026 Indonesia, held at the Kempinski Grand Ballroom Jakarta, 23rd June 2026.
The event, which was organized in Indonesia for the first time, brought together Uzbekistan’s tourism authorities, Umrah associations, travel agencies, and business representatives from various countries to strengthen collaboration in the religious travel and halal tourism sectors.
Chief Specialist Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan, Kudratbek Abdurakhmanov stated that Indonesia is one of the country’s priority markets due to its strong cultural and religious ties with Uzbekistan.
“Indonesia is a Muslim country and a brotherly nation to us. We see enormous potential in developing ziyarat tourism together with Indonesia,” he said.
According to Kudrat, Uzbekistan is currently promoting its Umrah Plus program, a travel package that allows pilgrims to visit Uzbekistan either before departing for Umrah in Saudi Arabia or after returning from the Holy Land.
The program offers a unique spiritual journey by combining Umrah with visits to some of the most significant Islamic historical sites in Central Asia.
“We are home to many renowned Islamic scholars, including Imam Al-Bukhari, who is regarded as one of the greatest figures in the science of Hadith. Therefore, we invite Indonesian Muslims to visit our country and experience its rich Islamic heritage firsthand,” he explained.
Targeting 100,000 Visitors from Indonesia and Malaysia
Uzbekistan has set an ambitious target of attracting 100,000 visitors from Indonesia and Malaysia within the next two years.
To support this goal, the Uzbek government is offering a range of incentives and conveniences for Indonesian travelers.
One of the key advantages is a 30-day visa-free policy for Indonesian citizens.
In addition, Uzbekistan promotes itself as a Muslim-friendly destination, offering halal-certified food, a welcoming environment, high safety standards, and numerous historical and religious attractions.
“We offer Muslim-friendly tourism products, 100 percent halal food, a comfortable environment, hospitable people, and beautiful tourist destinations,” Kudrat said.
He also emphasized that Indonesia and Uzbekistan share many common values as Muslim-majority nations, creating strong potential for deeper cooperation in tourism and business.
However, he acknowledged that direct flight connectivity remains one of the main challenges that needs to be addressed.
“The opportunities for cooperation are tremendous, both in tourism and business. The main challenge today is improving direct flight connections between our countries,” he added.
Uzbekistan Showcases World-Class Islamic Heritage Sites
Meanwhile, Sherzod Sami, President of the Association of Umrah Pilgrimage Travel Agencies of Uzbekistan, described HUITM as an important platform for introducing Uzbekistan to the Indonesian market.
He noted that this was the first time such an event had been held in Indonesia and expressed hope that it would become an annual program.
“We are very happy to be part of this event. This is the first time we have organized such an exhibition in Indonesia, and we hope to continue holding it every year on a larger scale,” Sherzod said.
Joining the exhibition was Tolik Odilov, Chairman Discovery Silk Road Travel FZE, representative of a travel company from Uzbekistan, who explained that the concept of Umrah Plus goes beyond pilgrimage by offering travelers an opportunity to explore the rich history of Islamic civilization.
According to him, Uzbekistan is one of the world’s leading destinations for Islamic pilgrimage tourism due to its vast collection of historical and religious landmarks.
Among the country’s most notable attractions are the Mausoleum of Imam Al-Bukhari, whose works remain among the most respected references in the Muslim world, and the historic Shahi Zinda Complex in Samarkand, which includes the mausoleum of Qusam ibn Abbas, a cousin of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Uzbekistan is also home to one of Islam’s most treasured artifacts—the Uthman Quran (Mushaf Uthmani), believed to date back to the era of Caliph Uthman ibn Affan.
“Uzbekistan is one of the most important destinations for Islamic pilgrimage tourism. We have numerous historical Islamic sites that can be visited by travelers from Indonesia and around the world,” Tolik said.
New Opportunities for the Umrah and Halal Tourism Industry
Through HUITM 2026, Uzbekistan aims not only to promote its religious tourism destinations but also to establish stronger partnerships with Indonesian travel agencies in developing Umrah Plus Uzbekistan packages.
The collaboration is expected to provide Indonesian pilgrims with a more enriching spiritual journey while strengthening cultural, economic, and tourism ties between the two Muslim-majority nations.
With its visa-free policy, rich Islamic heritage, and growing tourism infrastructure, Uzbekistan is positioning itself as a promising destination for Indonesian travelers seeking a deeper religious and cultural experience beyond the traditional Umrah journey.***
Writer: Mega Puspita
