Tourism vs. Talent Migration Intentions: Can Uzbekistan’s Booming Industry Retain Its Young Professionals?

Tourism in Uzbekistan has seen rapid growth, contributing to economic development, job creation, and cultural preservation. However, its impact on young residents remains understudied. Together with Deniza Alieva we were curious to explore tourism’s influence on their quality of life, employment prospects, and migration intentions. When we first set out to explore how young people in Uzbekistan perceive tourism development, we were curious about the changes happening around us. Tourism is booming, cities are evolving, and new businesses are emerging—but how do young residents, the very people who will shape the country’s future, feel about these transformations?

To answer this, we conducted a comprehensive survey, collecting insights from 200 respondents across different regions of Uzbekistan. We followed this up with in-depth interviews to dive deeper into their experiences, concerns, and aspirations. What we discovered was a mix of optimism and frustration.

We thought it would be valuable to share a glimpse of these findings with the research and professional community. This study isn’t just about statistics—it’s about real people navigating a rapidly changing economic landscape. More importantly, we see this as just the beginning. These insights open up important discussions about policy, youth engagement, and sustainable development in Uzbekistan’s tourism sector.

This essay explores how tourism affects young residents’ job prospects, migration intentions, and views on sustainable development and small fraction of bigger research project we have been working on.

The essay raises a crucial question:

Should Uzbekistan be concerned about youth migration driven by tourism-related economic pressures, or is this a natural demographic trend?

This study is based on a survey of 200 Uzbek residents(age 18-28), examining their perceptions of tourism’s economic, social, and environmental impact. The key demographics include:

• 52% (104 respondents) aged 20–25
• 92.5% (185 respondents) hold a university degree, including 172 Bachelor's, 20 Master’s, and 2 PhDs
• 15% (30 respondents) work in tourism, while 29.5% (59 respondents) plan to enter the industry
• 62% of young respondents (20–25) are considering migration

The survey assessed young residents’ satisfaction with tourism development, its economic impact, environmental concerns, and migration tendencies.

Economic Opportunities vs. Financial Strain

Tourism is widely acknowledged as a key economic driver in Uzbekistan, with 75% of young respondents agreeing that it creates job opportunities. However, when we looked deeper, we found that only 15% (30 respondents) are currently employed in tourism, while nearly twice as many (59 respondents) are hesitant but considering entering the industry in the future. This gap highlights the uncertainty surrounding employment stability in tourism, particularly among young professionals who are seeking long-term career security.

One of the most pressing concerns raised by respondents was the rising cost of living in major tourist hubs like Samarkand and Bukhara. As tourism development intensifies, housing prices and the cost of basic goods have surged, making these cities increasingly unaffordable for locals. For young professionals who are just starting their careers, this creates economic pressure that outweighs the potential benefits of tourism-driven job growth. While tourism provides employment, many respondents perceive these jobs as seasonal, low-paying, and lacking opportunities for career progression. This aligns with broader research (Ko, 2002), which suggests that when young professionals do not see long-term career stability, they are more likely to migrate in search of better prospects.

Limited Career Prospects in Tourism

Despite the positive economic contributions of tourism, young professionals remain skeptical about their career growth in the industry. According to the survey, 56% of respondents (112 individuals) believe that tourism has not significantly improved employment stability, reinforcing concerns about job security. Additionally, while the sector is expanding, only 15% of respondents currently work full-time in tourism, indicating that many jobs may be part-time, temporary, or freelance-based.

Another factor limiting career prospects is a lack of transparency in hiring and advancement opportunities. Many open-ended responses from young professionals cited concerns about corruption and nepotism, which they believe hinder merit-based hiring and promotion within the tourism sector. This aligns with previous findings (Usmonova & Alieva, 2022) that suggest countries with weak professional pathways in tourism often struggle to retain young talent.

To address these challenges, universities and career centers need to play a more active role in supporting young professionals in tourism-related fields. Expanding internship programs and establishing stronger partnerships between academic institutions and the tourism industry could help young professionals gain hands-on experience and access more stable career paths. Additionally, encouraging entrepreneurship in tourism and hospitality—through training, funding, and mentorship—could offer young Uzbeks an alternative route to professional success within their home country.

Migration Intentions: A Cause for Concern?

One of the most striking findings of this study is that 62% of young respondents (ages 20–25) express a desire to migrate abroad. When asked why, their reasons were clear: they believe they can find better salaries, stronger professional development opportunities, and a more modern, multicultural work environment elsewhere. This suggests that economic concerns, rather than cultural dissatisfaction, are the primary drivers of migration.

At the same time, 77.5% of respondents (155 individuals) still express pride in living in Uzbekistan, reinforcing the idea that young people are not leaving because they lack national identity, but rather because they feel their career and financial prospects are limited. This aligns with prior research (Usmonova et al., 2022), which highlights how youth migration is primarily shaped by economic opportunity rather than a lack of attachment to one's home country.

From a policy standpoint, this raises an important challenge: how can Uzbekistan retain its young workforce while continuing to grow its tourism industry? The country must balance its need for tourism development with strategies that make it more attractive for young professionals to stay. Several key interventions could help address this issue: offering more competitive wages in the tourism sector, developing affordable housing programs in urban centers, and promoting digital entrepreneurship that allows young professionals to work remotely while contributing to Uzbekistan’s economy.

Environmental and Social Concerns

Beyond economic factors, environmental and social issues also emerged as key concerns for young respondents. Many expressed frustration over urban congestion, pollution, and the deterioration of historical sites due to unchecked tourism growth. As Uzbekistan continues to position itself as a major tourist destination, these concerns will only become more pressing.

Interestingly, while 37.5% of respondents (75 individuals) are familiar with the concept of sustainable tourism, 33.5% (67 respondents) had only partial knowledge, and 29% (58 respondents) had never heard of it. This reveals a significant gap in sustainability education, one that universities and career centers could address by integrating sustainability-focused courses into tourism and business programs.

Additionally, young people should be encouraged to actively participate in environmental conservation efforts. Student-led sustainability projects, eco-tourism initiatives, and collaborations with industry leaders could provide young professionals with a sense of agency in shaping the future of Uzbekistan’s tourism industry.

Conclusion and Policy Implications

Should Uzbekistan Be Worried?

Youth migration is a global trend, but the high percentage (62%) of young people considering leaving Uzbekistansuggests a need for urgent intervention. If tourism development continues without addressing the economic and professional concerns of young residents, the country may face a severe talent drain, weakening not only the tourism industry but also broader economic sectors.

However, rather than discouraging migration, Uzbekistan should focus on making tourism careers more attractive. Improving wages, career mobility, and working conditions could encourage more young people to see tourism as a viable, long-term profession. Additionally, urban planning efforts to keep housing affordable and sustainability initiatives to preserve cultural heritage could enhance the livability of key tourism cities for both residents and visitors.

What Can Universities and Career Centers Do?

To better support young professionals in tourism, universities and career centers should:

• Enhance tourism curricula with more practical job training and internship opportunities.
• Develop youth entrepreneurship programs that encourage innovative tourism business models.
• Increase awareness of sustainable tourism to ensure that future industry leaders are equipped to balance economic growth with environmental and social responsibility.

Future Perspectives: The Need for Continued Research

This study provides a valuable snapshot of young residents' perceptions, but further research is needed to explore long-term trends and deeper policy solutions. Key research areas include:

How do migration patterns shift as Uzbekistan’s tourism industry expands?        

What specific policies can bridge the gap between tourism growth and sustainable local employment?        

How can digitalization and remote work opportunities keep young professionals engaged in Uzbekistan’s economy?        

How does a sense of belonging among Uzbek youth influence their decision to stay or migrate?        

By continuing to study and analyze tourism’s impact on local communities, Uzbekistan can develop evidence-based policies that sustain economic growth while protecting residents' well-being.

A Crossroads for Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan may stand at a critical juncture—it can either expand tourism without addressing its social consequences or develop a sustainable, resident-focused tourism strategy that benefits both visitors and locals.

The fact that 62% of young respondents are considering migration should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers and industry leaders. If young people continue to view tourism as a driver of economic hardship rather than opportunity, Uzbekistan could face severe workforce depletion in the coming decades.

There should be priority in youth-friendly policies, ensuring equitable economic distribution, and investment in sustainable tourism practices. By doing so, tourism can become a tool for empowerment, rather than a push factor for migration.

References

• Ko, D. W. (2002). Economic impacts of tourism on local communities.
• Usmonova, G., & Alieva, D. (2022). Sustainability perceptions of Community-Based Tourism by stakeholders in Central Asia.
• Usmonova, G., Leon, C. J., & Alieva, D. (2022). Love it and/or Leave it: Paradox of country proudness and migration intentions among young residents.