Forecasts indicate that over the next five years, the supply of hotel rooms will increase. However, each country in the region will develop on its own path, and Kyrgyzstan is expected to show the most significant growth.
Increase in tourist and business flow due to global brands
Today, Central Asia represents one of the new tourist centers, combining the heritage of the Silk Road, UNESCO sites, picturesque mountain landscapes, and unique cultural experiences. The region attracts both cultural route enthusiasts and those interested in eco, medical, and gastronomic tourism. Last year, over 15 million tourists visited the countries of Central Asia.Accor and Hilton networks demonstrate the greatest stability, opening new hotels almost every year (with exceptions being 2024 for Accor and 2025 for Hilton). A temporary slowdown is expected in 2024 after active expansion, with a recovery in pace anticipated in 2025.
Each country in the region has its own characteristics in the development of the hotel sector. The main center of the hotel business in Central Asia remains Kazakhstan. The peak of new hotel openings in Kazakhstan occurred in 2020, after which the pace of openings declined.
In Uzbekistan, the Hilton network shows stable growth, opening hotels annually from 2020 to 2024. As a result, the hotel sector of the republic has quadrupled since 2020 due to the arrival of global brands.
According to specialists from Commonwealth Partnership Uzbekistan, the hotel market in Tajikistan remains limited for now, but the first signs of renewed activity have been noted — new openings are planned. In the market of branded hotels in Tajikistan, Hyatt leads, occupying almost half (46%) of all hotel rooms, while Hilton and IHG hold significantly smaller shares (30% and 24%, respectively).
Stable growth of the Kyrgyzstan market
Although the international hotel market in Kyrgyzstan is small, it shows steady growth. Currently, the main hotels of international chains are concentrated in Bishkek, where Hyatt, Wyndham, Accor, and Marriott are represented. Demand is driven by business, diplomatic, and eco-tourism.
Hyatt became the first representative of international chains in the country, and the opening of Accor in 2021 completed the formation of Kyrgyzstan's international hotel portfolio. Currently, Marriott and Hyatt each hold 31% of the market, Accor 27%, and Wyndham 11%. The industry's growth has accelerated since 2019 due to investor interest and increased tourist demand.
One of the features of Kyrgyzstan is that the republic is actively diversifying its hotel market through projects in the premium and niche segments.
The future of the hotel sector's growth
Analysis has shown that in the next five years, the number of international hotel brands in Central Asia will significantly increase. The main drivers of this growth will be Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. While Kazakhstan previously led in the number of rooms, this year Uzbekistan may surpass it. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan continue to develop more slowly.Kyrgyzstan is ahead in brand diversification and the number of new market entries.In Kyrgyzstan's project portfolio, the focus is on the years 2026-2027, where Wyndham leads, and the emergence of Hilton and AZIMUT opens new horizons for diversification. Wyndham occupies 69% of Kyrgyzstan's total project portfolio, followed by AZIMUT (16%) and Hilton (15%).
From 2025 to 2030, it is forecasted that the number of hotel rooms in Central Asia will nearly double. The leading players in this market will be Accor (19%), Hilton (18%), and IHG (17% each).
