Sightseeing with bodyguard? Uzbekistan eyes close protection for tourists
Uzbekistan is considering wider use of bodyguard services for foreign tourists as officials review security along the country’s growing network of travel itineraries. It comes a week after Uzbekistan emerged as the safest country across the CIS region.
The Interior Ministry’s department in charge of public safety and the Tourism Committee discussed the proposal at a meeting in Tashkent earlier this week. The potential target audience for the service included foreign holidaymakers, business travellers and official delegations.
The service would include pre-journey risk assessment, arranging protection along the route and responding to emergencies. The ministry announcement gave no prices, booking arrangements or launch date.
Read more: Uzbekistan on a budget: how much will a trip cost you in 2026?
Security beyond the hotel
The project also covered wider use of CCTV and rapid-response teams at busy attractions, heritage sites, hotels and recreation areas. Officials proposed reviewing routes and strengthening protection where needed, with support extending throughout a visitor’s trip.
The ministry linked the discussions to rising visitor numbers and expanding itineraries. It did not cite a specific incident or increase in crimes against tourists.
The proposal comes at a time when Uzbekistan is outpacing much of the international tourism market. Foreign tourist arrivals rose 37% in the first quarter of 2026, compared with 2% globally, according to UN Tourism’s World Tourism Barometer.
Travel companies have also reported stronger demand. G Adventures told Condé Nast Traveller that its US bookings for Uzbekistan increased 96% in January compared with a year earlier. That measures bookings with one operator, rather than arrivals nationwide.
Read more: Travel in Uzbekistan: planning tips I wish I’d had before
