Uzbek President proposes Turkic Tourism Alliance and ID‑card travel agreement
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced a proposal for a Turkic Tourism Alliance and a mutual travel agreement that would allow citizens to travel using ID cards. The proposal was presented at the Organization of Turkic States summit in Ankara and is intended to boost tourism flows among member states.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- Proposal for a Turkic Tourism Alliance and ID‑card travel agreement
- Timing
- Announced at the Ankara summit, no implementation date given
- Who is affected
- Citizens of Uzbekistan and other OTS member and observer states
The details
- Announced by
- President Shavkat Mirziyoyev
Background and announcement
During the Organization of Turkic States summit in Ankara, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev presented a set of initiatives aimed at deepening cooperation among Turkic countries. Among these, he highlighted the creation of a Turkic Tourism Alliance and a mutual travel agreement that would permit citizens to travel using national ID cards instead of passports.
Tourism alliance objectives
The alliance is intended to promote multi‑country tourism itineraries, increase demand for hotels, guide services, handicrafts and local cuisine, and encourage longer stays. Statistics presented at the summit showed that in 2025 Uzbekistan received 11.7 million foreign visitors, with 6.2 million coming from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Turkey, underscoring the potential for coordinated promotion.
Mutual travel agreement details
The proposed agreement would allow citizens of member and observer states to travel across borders using their national ID cards. This aims to simplify travel arrangements, reduce paperwork and support the growth of tourism flows between Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkey and other OTS participants.
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- Travelers planning trips to OTS countries can anticipate easier border crossing if the ID‑card agreement is implemented.
- Current bookings remain valid; no immediate changes to visa or passport requirements are required.
Cost and documents
- No new fees are mentioned for the proposed ID‑card travel arrangement.
- Travelers should continue to carry passports until the agreement is formally enacted.
What you need to do
- Monitor official announcements from Uzbekistan and OTS for the final adoption date of the agreement.
- Check with airlines and border authorities whether ID‑card travel is accepted once the treaty is in force.
Who this affects
-
Uzbek citizens traveling to OTS member states
The proposal would let them use national ID cards instead of passports for cross‑border trips.
What to do Await formal adoption of the agreement before relying on ID cards for travel.
-
Citizens of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Turkey visiting Uzbekistan
They are included in the mutual travel agreement under the Turkic Tourism Alliance.
What to do Watch for official guidance on ID‑card eligibility once the treaty is signed.
-
Tour operators and travel agencies in OTS countries
The alliance aims to create joint tourism packages and promote multi‑country itineraries.
What to do Prepare to develop combined tour products that leverage the anticipated easier travel rules.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Turkic Tourism Alliance?
The Turkic Tourism Alliance is a proposed framework announced by Uzbekistan’s President to coordinate tourism promotion among Organization of Turkic States members, encouraging multi‑country itineraries and joint marketing.
Will I be able to travel with an ID card instead of a passport?
The proposal includes a mutual travel agreement that would allow ID‑card travel for citizens of member and observer states, but it is not yet in force; travelers must continue using passports until it is officially adopted.
Which countries are part of the proposed travel agreement?
The agreement targets all Organization of Turkic States members and observers, including Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkey and others that participated in the summit.
When will the ID‑card travel arrangement start?
The announcement was made at the Ankara summit, but no specific implementation date was provided; the timeline will be set after the treaty is finalized.
How will the tourism alliance affect hotel bookings?
The alliance aims to boost demand for hotels across the region by promoting longer stays and combined itineraries, potentially increasing availability and competition for accommodation.
