Across Eurasia, the ancient Silk Road is staging a dramatic comeback, not as a dusty corridor of traders but as a living, multi-country travel route. At the 30th Tashkent International Tourism Fair (TITF-2025), officials reported that Central Asia and the South Caucasus are rebounding faster than before the pandemic, with Uzbekistan alone recording foreign arrivals rising from just over 2 million in 2017 to more than 10 million last year. The growth is built on longer, interconnected itineraries rather than single-destination visits, and on a rapid expansion of air mobility that makes cross-border loops feasible for ordinary travelers.
Key corridors are taking shape: the Azerbaijan–Uzbekistan route now features daily flights, with Samarkand to Baku added twice weekly. In a sign of regional cooperation, tour products are being promoted as multi-city loops — Barcelona, Vienna and Prague were among the cities highlighted during a six-city roadshow. Early data also show a 35% year-on-year rise in Uzbek visitors to Azerbaijan, with thermal springs, sanatorium stays and corporate groups leading the demand. Regions outside the capitals, such as Namangan, are mapping mountain districts for eco-adventure routes, while local crafts from Tajik artisans and other Silk Road workshops are becoming integral to the visitor experience.
Technology is accelerating the shift. TourAI founder Murod Abdullayev described 24/7 instant tour search and AI-driven review analysis that partners use across messaging apps, cutting planning time and removing delays that once frustrated travellers. Universities along the route are turning tourism into an English-language, internship-rich field, ensuring a new generation of managers who can coordinate cross-border projects. For European travelers, the result is a growing menu of longer, 7–9 night itineraries that weave several countries together, offering a modern alternative to single-destination holidays while preserving local crafts and nature experiences.
Yet experts warn this Silk Road revival must be managed carefully. Growth could strain infrastructure and vulnerable ecosystems, even as safety and visa coordination improve with shared route products. If planners and operators align on sustainable practices, the Eurasian corridor could reshuffle travel in Europe and Asia, opening opportunities for Romanian and wider European tour operators to plug into these multi-country loops and bring travelers deeper into the region while supporting crafts and small communities.