DIGITAL MARKETING
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Digital technologies are transforming the approaches to promotion in the tourism industry, and in Uzbekistan, travel influencers are increasingly helping brands connect with their audience. They share verified information, create high-quality visual content, and offer personal recommendations that travelers trust.
In this article, we will explore why collaborating with Uzbek travel content creators is becoming more and more promising, present statistics and research, and introduce the top 10 most influential authors and Telegram channels that actively travel around the world.
The tourism market in Uzbekistan grows annually by an average of 24.2%, with the country's residents becoming increasingly active in exploring new destinations. From January to November 2024, 5.7 million Uzbeks traveled internationally for leisure. In the first seven months of the year, 21,700 citizens went overseas for educational purposes. The number of labor migrants working outside Uzbekistan at the start of 2024 was 1.9 million, but by the end of the year, this number decreased to 1.34 million as many returned home.
The majority of travelers are aged 31-55 (53.3%) and 19-30 (30.2%). Citizens over 56 years old make up 11.8%, while minors account for 4.7%. Many, like in other countries, rely on recommendations from influencers when choosing hotels, excursions, and services.
Uzbek travel content creators working for an international audience have become a crucial link between local tourists and global brands. On average, each author has up to 1.3 million followers, 70% of whom are from Uzbekistan and Central Asia. Among their audience, 85% are active travelers with above-average income. In other words, collaborating with Uzbek travel influencers offers advertisers a chance to directly reach a paying audience actively seeking inspiration, discounts, and travel services for new adventures.
The popularity of tourism content continues to grow. Followers value the personal experiences of KOLs, which provide recommendations and fresh ideas for trips. The materials cover a wide range of topics—from exclusive routes to the cultural nuances of countries, and the visual elements make it even more attractive. All of this contributes to building a positive image of tourism brands and destinations.
In Uzbekistan, travel influencers are primarily focused on Instagram and YouTube. These platforms are perfect for sharing vibrant moments from their journeys, as well as attracting a larger audience through detailed video and photo reviews.
Rank | Influencer name | TikTok | YouTube | Post language | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Shahzoda Salimjanova | 1.3 M | – | – | Russian, Uzbek |
2 | Safarova Durdona (yourgraced) | 270 K | 48.2 K | 129 K | Russian, Uzbek |
3 | Iren | 243 K | 243 K | 370 K | Uzbek, Russian |
4 | Evgeniya Babaeva | 131 K | – | – | Russian |
5 | Sanjiksancho | 61.5 K | – | – | Russian |
6 | Regina Kim (regina__kim) | 47.5 K | – | 15 K | Russian |
7 | Dilmurad Akhmedov | 28.1 K | – | 1.18 K | Uzbek, Russian |
8 | Amirbek Mirzaev | 13.8 K | – | 3.15 K | Russian |
9 | Polina Kostina | 12.8 K | – | 138 K | Russian |
10 | Alena Aitova | 12.6 K | – | – | Russian |
Shahzoda Salimjanova, known on Instagram as @leo_17s, is a popular Uzbek influencer and model. She started her blogging journey in 2016. That same year, she joined the Haideli Models Agency, which helped boost her popularity. Today, her Instagram account has 1.3 million followers. The author shares content about travel, fashion, and personal thoughts, engaging her audience with sincerity and openness. She particularly loves traveling to Bali, the Philippines, and Turkey, frequently promoting hotels and local cuisine in these destinations.
Durdona Safarova, known online as @yourgraced, is an Uzbek travel content creator. She shares her life and trips across various platforms, having 271k followers on Instagram, 129k on YouTube, 48.2k on TikTok, and 14.7k on Telegram. Born and based in Tashkent, Durdona works as a flight attendant and shares valuable content about the life of cabin crew members and the work process. She has visited Vietnam (Phu Quoc Island), Malaysia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia. In addition to journeys, Durdona is passionate about sports and fashion. Among her favorite spots in Tashkent are the women's sports club WOMEN TRI CLUB, the BON cafe with a French atmosphere, and the GUSSI restaurant, known for its delicious food and pleasant ambiance.
Iren (@iren.uz) is one of the most prominent travel influencers in Uzbekistan, creating dynamic and high-quality content about her trips. She shares her impressions of countries and cities, showcasing vibrant locations and immersing her audience in the local culture. Her videos stand out for their lively emotions, natural delivery, and excellent visual presentation. The author actively develops multiple platforms, with 243k followers on Instagram and TikTok, 370k on YouTube, as well as keeping in touch with her audience through Telegram (12.3k followers) and Facebook (27k followers).
Iren’s blog is not just a travel diary but a well-thought-out content hub that blends captivating stories with practical value. She willingly tests hotels, excursions, and services, sharing her honest experiences without embellishment. This makes her attractive to both viewers and brands looking to organically promote products in tourism, hospitality, and lifestyle.
Iren’s favorite destinations include China (Hainan Island) and Dubai.
Evgeniya Babaeva (@familytravel.uz) is a content creator from Uzbekistan who moved to Georgia and now works in villa sales. While she doesn't travel the world, her audience consists of residents from Uzbekistan interested in visiting Georgia and potentially purchasing property in the country. Evgeniya shares vibrant travel routes, useful tips, and honest reviews of places, hotels, and services in Georgia. On Instagram, she has 131k followers, who are not only interested in family trips but also in vacation opportunities and buying villas in Georgia.
Sanjiksancho is a travel influencer from Uzbekistan who uncovers hidden gems across his homeland for his audience. He shares firsthand travel experiences, highlights atmospheric locations, and provides practical tips for those looking to explore Uzbekistan.
He offers unfiltered perspectives, honest reviews, and real-life insights. This approach makes his blog valuable both to followers and brands aiming to connect with local audiences and promote quality services. With 61.5K Instagram followers and 41.6K Telegram subscribers, he actively engages his audience by sharing personal discoveries, travel hacks, and interactive content.
Regina Kim is a travel influencer from Uzbekistan who merges aesthetics with practicality in her explorations. Her content showcases stylish visuals, atmospheric videos, and actionable tips for adventurers seeking to discover the world effortlessly. With 47.5K Instagram followers and 15K YouTube subscribers, she goes beyond capturing scenic moments — she shares guides on trip planning, curating destination highlights, and balancing comfort with budget-friendly choices.
Beyond her journeys, Regina’s focus on fashion and culture makes her platform appealing not only to globetrotters but also to lifestyle brands. She frequently traverses Asia, revealing offbeat routes and hidden gems often overlooked by mainstream guides. The author’s genuine storytelling and polished content build trust with audiences eager to follow her advice.
Dilmurad Akhmedov (@axmedov_dilmurad) is a travel influencer from Uzbekistan, known for his journeys across the country. In November 2024, he went to the Aral Sea, covering over 800 kilometers around it. He visited the Barsakelmes salt flat, the Ustyurt plateau, and the ‘ship cemetery’ in Muynak. His stories about the journey convey the sad picture of the drying sea, but also inspire automotive tourism in these regions.
The author has 28.1K followers on Instagram and 1.18 K on YouTube.
Amirbek Mirzaev (@amirzaev_) is a travel and documentary photographer from Samarkand, Uzbekistan. He balances his professional career with a passion for photography, curating an Instagram blog to showcase his standout work. With 13.8K Instagram followers and 3.15K YouTube subscribers, his recent international explorations have highlighted destinations like Kazakhstan and Thailand.
Polina Kostina (@poly_kostina_) is a travel influencer from Uzbekistan, originally from Andijan and living in Tashkent for over 20 years. She runs a YouTube channel called Traveling with Poly Kostina, where she shares her journeys and discoveries. Her content covers both well-known tourist destinations and hidden gems, making her blog appealing to a broad audience.
The main travel destination the author often talks about in her blogs is the UAE.
Polina has 12.8k followers on Instagram and 138k on YouTube. She actively collaborates with local brands and tourism companies, opening up opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships.
Alena Aitova, known as Alena Volchica, is a travel influencer and mountain trek organizer from Uzbekistan. She founded the Wolf Travel team, which arranges expeditions to unexplored regions of the country, including group and private tours, as well as romantic mountain getaways. Her Instagram account, with 12.6K followers, features vibrant photos and videos of her adventures.
In June 2024, Alena became the first woman from Uzbekistan to summit Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 meters). Less than two months later, she conquered Elbrus, Europe’s highest peak. Her determination and passion for mountaineering make her platform appealing to advertisers promoting tourism services and outdoor gear.
Travel is not only about new experiences but also careful preparation. In Uzbekistan, Telegram has become an indispensable assistant for those looking for affordable flight tickets, planning trips, or considering work abroad. Here, travelers can find current offers from tour operators, honest reviews from other tourists, and reliable advice on working abroad. For the tourism business, it is a convenient communication channel with an audience interested in travel and new opportunities. An important nuance: the language of publications in Telegram channels is Uzbek.
Rank | Channel name | Type of content | Subscribers |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Migration uz eps go kr. Korea mehnat uz | Vacancies, EPS program, adaptation in South Korea | 38,5 K |
2 | RA'NO Opa KOREYA | Support, consultation on documents for working in Korea | 32,2 K |
3 | Mandarin Tour | Tour selections without advertising | 44,3 K |
4 | ASIALUXE TRAVEL | Tour operator, exclusive routes, flights | 38,2 K |
5 | Aviasales.uz | Best flight offers, travel tips | 35,8 K |
6 | UZBEGIM24AVIAKASSA | Hotels, flights, tours | 29,3 K |
7 | Bez Zaks Hotel TownTour Travel | Hotels, flights, tours | 28,1 K |
8 | Last minute tours (Tashkent) | Special offers and discounts for vacations | 27,1 K |
9 | Mü'jizaviy olam! | Natural phenomena, rare locations, beautiful landscapes | 37,8 K |
10 | Kompas | Informative posts about countries, traditions, life hacks | 33,5 K |
These Telegram communities help users find great deals, get inspired for new routes, and organize trips with minimal costs. For travel companies and brands, they can be an effective promotion tool, allowing them to reach an active audience ready for travel.
Uzbek travel influencers and Telegram channels offer more than just inspiring content — they are powerful promotional tools. Their audiences trust their recommendations, and the visual storytelling format ensures ads feel native and organic. Partnering with tourism-focused KOLs allows brands to engage directly with active travelers and grow their customer base.
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About the Author
Digital Strategist. Head of one of the project groups at RMAA. Maria started her journey in digital marketing in 2009.
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