Uzbekistan is proposing to introduce a Siesta system to adapt the tourism sector to summer heatwaves, the draft Cabinet of Ministers resolution has proposed. Under the proposal, tourist facilities in Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva cities would operate on a new schedule from June 1 to August 31.
The Siesta system would initially be deployed as a pilot program. It would cover hotels, hostels, guesthouses, museums, historical and architectural monuments, restaurants and cafés, tour operators, and entertainment venues catering to tourists.
The draft recommends organizing the operating hours of tourist facilities during the summer months as follows:
- Morning hours: 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM
- Siesta break: 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- Evening and nighttime hours: 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM
The main goal of the initiative is to protect tourists and staff from the harmful effects of high temperatures, create more comfortable conditions for visitors, encourage them to extend their stay in the country, and make more efficient use of tourism infrastructure during the summer season.
The draft recommends that dining establishments and entertainment venues introduce special summer menus and cultural programs tailored to evening hours. It also envisions enhanced lighting at museums and historical monuments to support Night Museum and Evening Excursion programs.
Under the document, businesses would be required to keep air conditioning systems running during the siesta period and maintain the necessary on-duty staff and reception services. Employees' wages could not be cut, nor could their working conditions be allowed to worsen, as a result of the new schedule.
The draft tasks the Tourism Committee with developing model regulations for implementing the system, conducting information campaigns, and regularly monitoring the results. Meanwhile, the city administrations of Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva are expected to organize public transport, lighting, and cultural events during evening hours.
The document is currently only a draft, and if adopted, the Siesta system would run as a pilot each year from June 1 to August 31, with proposals for expanding it to other regions to be developed based on the results of the 2026 summer season.
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