The Impact of Tourism on the Economy: Global Evidence, Ecotourism and the Case of Uzbekistan

Abstract

Tourism is one of the largest service sectors in the world economy and a major source of foreign currency earnings, jobs and public revenue. This article reviews how tourism affects national economies by using published statistics and peer reviewed research (descriptive secondary data approach only identifiable sources used UN Tourism WTTC World Travel & Tourism Council National Statistics Committee Uzbekistan). International arrivals were about 1.52 billion in 2025 and international receipts about USD 1.9 trillion (WTTC)1 Travel and tourism generated USD 11.6 trillion or 9.8% of global GDP and supported 366 million jobs (2). In Uzbekistan 11.7 mn foreign visitors were recorded in 2025 (46.8% more than in 2024),7 visitor exports USD 4.8 bn (8) but direct share of tourism in GDP was only 2.5% in 2024 (still below level in 2019: 3.6%).6 Evidence suggests a positive economic role for tourism but size of the effect depends on measure used, leakage and exposure to shocks. Ecotourism (nature-based segment) is dealt separately: about 8 bn visits per year are made to world’s protected areas (up to USD 600 bn in visitor spending generated); less than USD 10 bn a year is spent on managing them.11 No official national ecotourism statistics for Uzbekistan could be found. Secondary data were used and some figures come from press reports of official releases so findings are descriptive rather than causal.