Economic Indicators: Growth of Tourism's Share in GDP
In 2025, the country's tourism sector demonstrated significant economic growth. Preliminary data indicate a gross added value of 74.4 billion soms, and the sector's share in the overall GDP increased to 3.8 percent compared to 3.6 percent in the previous year.
The export of tourism services, which determines income from foreign tourists, reached $1 billion 98.5 million, increasing by 8.1 percent compared to 2024.
Citizens of Kyrgyzstan spent $564 million on foreign trips.
The diversity of income from different service segments proved to be uneven. The greatest growth was shown by sanatorium and resort services, the volume of which increased by 32.2 percent, reaching 2.4 billion soms.
Restaurants and food establishments earned 26.1 billion soms, increasing their income by 20.9 percent. Hotels received 11.1 billion soms, while transportation services for tourists brought in 17.3 billion.
Business Organization in the Tourism Sector: Predominance of Individual Entrepreneurs
As of January 1, 2026, there were 148.1 thousand business entities registered in Kyrgyzstan related to tourism activities, of which 87.1 percent (approximately 129 thousand) operate as individual entrepreneurs.
The main business is concentrated in Bishkek (33.8 thousand entities), Osh region (21 thousand), and the city of Osh (19.5 thousand).
In the Issyk-Kul region, 3.2 thousand enterprises providing recreation and leisure services were registered.
In 2025, the infrastructure for receiving tourists included 842 specialized institutions and 2,316 guest houses. The country had 388 hotels, 98 boarding houses, 17 sanatoriums, and 102 travel agencies.
The production of goods related to tourism activities increased by 26.7 percent, including the production of national drinks and mineral waters, which reached 4.5 billion soms.
Tourist Flow and Investments: Slowdown in Activity
The number of tourists accommodated in the official sector amounted to 1 million 780 thousand, which is 50 percent more than in 2024. The unofficial sector (private homes and guest houses) received 1 million 736 thousand people.
Among organized trips through travel agencies, 74 thousand people traveled, most of whom are citizens of Kyrgyzstan traveling both within the country and abroad.
Despite the increase in operational income, investment activity in the tourism sector has decreased.
Discussion Topics
“Ala-Too Resort.” The completion of the first phase of the ski cluster is planned for December 2026.
More than 19 billion soms have been invested in the construction and modernization of tourism facilities, which is 3.3 percent less than in 2024. The share of these investments in the total volume of fixed capital investments decreased from 8.5 to 5.2 percent. The main funds were directed towards road repairs, hotel fund updates, and the development of natural parks.
The development of the tourism sector continues to remain an important priority in Kyrgyzstan's economic policy. According to World Bank forecasts, the services sector, including tourism, will become the main driver of stable economic growth at a rate of 5.5 percent.
