Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.37741/t.74.3.6
Unlocking Tourism Growth in Uzbekistan: Managerial Perspectives on Human Resource Challenges
H. Elif Kutlugun
orcid.org/0000-0003-0676-6536
; Central Asian University, Business School, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Berislav Andrlić
; Faculty of Tourism and Rural Development in Požega, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Alex Candor
; TEAM University Research Centre, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Abstract
This study aims to explore the current state of the tourism industry in Uzbekistan, with a particular focus
on evaluating its human resource capacity. The AMO model of human resource management serves as the
theoretical foundation for this study, which adopts a qualitative research approach to explore the tourism
industry in Uzbekistan through the lens of employers’ and managers’ perceptions, with particular attention
to the labour market’s capacity and available opportunities. The sample size was 20 respondents composed
of managers and investors from four segments of the tourism industry. Data were collected through face-toface
interviews using semi-structured interview questions. The findings indicate that there are considerable
gaps in knowledge, skills, number of workers and loyalty required by the industry. The study suggests that
tourism training and education in Uzbekistan needs to be modified and adapted to the industry’s needs
through communication and collaboration among the stakeholders, and one way of achieving that objective
is a bottom-up tourism master plan with wide stakeholder participation.
Keywords
AMO model; global south; HRM in tourism and hospitality; service industry; tourism and hospitality; Uzbekistan
Hrčak ID:
349257
URI
Publication date:
14.7.2026.
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