Economy
The consulting company in commercial real estate, Commonwealth Partnership Uzbekistan, studied the international hotel market in Central Asia. The region is becoming increasingly attractive to tourists, with the geography of those wishing to visit Central Asian countries expanding. Naturally, requirements for the level of service, including hotels, are rising.
Today, more than half of the room stock is controlled by three global hotel chain brands.
Forecasts show that over the next five years, the room stock will only grow. However, each country in the region will develop in its own way. For example, Kyrgyzstan will show the most dynamic growth.
Today, Central Asia positions itself as one of the key new tourist centers, combining the heritage of the Silk Road, UNESCO sites, mountain landscapes, and authentic cultural experiences. The region is interesting to both cultural route enthusiasts and those who prefer eco, medical, and gastronomic tourism. Last year, over 15 million tourists visited Central Asian countries.
This growth has made our region interesting to major global hotel brands. Since 2020, they have significantly increased (almost doubled) their presence in all four countries of the region. Data shows that 2023 was the peak in brand expansion rates – almost 1,800 new rooms entered the market.
Accor and Hilton demonstrate the greatest resilience, opening facilities almost annually (Accor – except for 2024; Hilton – 2025). In 2024, there is a short-term slowdown after a sharp surge in openings, followed by a recovery in activity in 2025.
Accor holds leading positions with 25% of the room stock, followed by Hilton (17%), IHG (15%), and Wyndham (14%) – the main pool of international operators in the market. The “Others” category includes Best Western (302 rooms), AZIMUT (283), Lotte (232), Louvre (223), and Dedeman (133), with each holding no more than 3% of the market.
Each country has its own characteristics in the development of international hotel business. The key center of the hospitality industry in Central Asia remains Kazakhstan. The peak of new brands appearing in Kazakhstan was in 2020, after which the number of annual openings decreased.
In Uzbekistan, the Hilton chain shows the most stable expansion rates, opening hotels in the country every year from 2020 to 2024. Overall, the hotel sector of the republic has grown fourfold since 2020 thanks to the arrival of global brands.
Experts from Commonwealth Partnership Uzbekistan note that the hotel market in Tajikistan remains limited but shows early signs of renewed activity – new openings are planned. The branded hotel market in Tajikistan is led by Hyatt, which accounts for almost half of all rooms (46%), while Hilton (30%) and IHG (24%) hold smaller but significant shares.
The international hotel market in Kyrgyzstan remains small but steadily growing. Today, the market of global chain hotels is concentrated in Bishkek, where Hyatt, Wyndham, Accor, and Marriott are represented. Demand is formed by business, diplomatic, and eco-tourism.
The Hyatt chain became the pioneer of the market, and Accor’s entry in 2021 was the latest addition to the country’s international hotel portfolio. Today in Kyrgyzstan, Marriott and Hyatt each hold 31% of the market, Accor – 27%, and Wyndham – 11%. Industry development accelerated since 2019 due to increased investor interest and growing tourist demand.
A distinctive feature of Kyrgyzstan is that the republic diversifies the hotel market through projects in premium and niche segments.
The analysis showed that over the next five years, the presence of global hotel brands in Central Asia will accelerate. Key drivers will be Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. If previously Kazakhstan was the leader in room stock, this year Uzbekistan may become it. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan continue to develop gradually.
Kyrgyzstan leads in brand diversification and the number of new market entries.
Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan’s project portfolio is focused on 2026-2027 and is led by Wyndham, while the entry of Hilton and AZIMUT brands means a new wave of diversification. Wyndham accounts for 69% of the room stock in Kyrgyzstan’s project portfolio, followed by AZIMUT (16%) and Hilton (15%).
In the period 2025-2030, the number of rooms in global hotels in the Central Asian region is expected to nearly double. Accor will be the leading player (19% of the market), followed by Hilton (18%) and IHG (17% each).
