KUALA LUMPUR - Bernama reported, the Uzbekistan government will provide a USD100 subsidy to local tourism operators for every Malaysian or Indonesian visitor as part of its ‘Umrah Plus’ program, the country’s embassy in Malaysia announced last Saturday.

Uzbekistan is targeting 100,000 tourists from Malaysia and Indonesia in 2026 and 2027 under the scheme.

The program requires Malaysian or Indonesian tourists to spend a few days in Uzbekistan before continuing their journey to Saudi Arabia for Umrah.

According to Uzbekistan’s online news portal, Daryo, the plan is expected to be finalised within the next two weeks.

The Uzbek government is also working to establish more direct flights between major cities in Malaysia, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, and Saudi Arabia to improve air connectivity and provide smoother travel experiences.

“The tourism and cultural sectors have become key areas of partnership between Uzbekistan and Malaysia.

“There is huge potential to expand cooperation in tourism, which will bring economic benefits and promote cultural exchange between the two countries.

“Both nations belong to the Islamic world and share a proud Islamic cultural heritage. Historic cities in Uzbekistan, such as Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, are centres of ancient Islamic culture and learning,” the embassy said in a statement.

The embassy also said that in recent years, Uzbekistan has actively developed Muslim-friendly infrastructure, including new prayer facilities, halal hotels, and restaurants.

Uzbekistan’s Tourism Committee is studying best practices from Malaysia’s Islamic Tourism Centre under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to enhance Muslim-friendly travel and hospitality experiences.

In the future, Uzbekistan’s gastronomic tourism and winter tourism are expected to become increasingly popular among Malaysians, including young travellers.

Currently, Uzbekistan Airways, Batik Air, and AirAsia operate eight weekly direct flights on the Kuala Lumpur–Tashkent–Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi–Tashkent–Langkawi routes.

Citizens of both Malaysia and Indonesia can also enjoy visa-free travel for up to 30 days, according to the embassy.