Independent tourism, widely recognized as Free Independent Travel (FIT), has become oneof the most dynamically growing segments of the global tourism industry. Rapid advancements indigital technology, the proliferation of online booking platforms, the expansion of low-costtransportation networks, and profound shifts in consumer preferences have collectively propelledthis tourism form to the forefront of destination management discourse. This article investigatesthe theoretical and methodological foundations of independent tourism development, synthesizingconceptual frameworks, empirical evidence, and comparative case studies drawn frominternational and Central Asian contexts. The study employs a systematic literature review,comparative destination analysis, and primary survey data collected from 180 independenttravelers in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, to construct a comprehensive picture of the determinants andmechanisms underpinning FIT growth. Key findings indicate that independent tourismdevelopment is driven by an interconnected set of technological, infrastructural, institutional, andbehavioral factors. A novel theoretical model — the Free Independent Tourism Development(FITD) Model — is proposed to guide policy and investment decisions.
| Mualliflar | Yuldashev, Kamol |
|---|---|
| Jurnal | Иқтисодиёт ва туризм |
| Nashr sanasi | 2026-04-17 |
| Jild | 2 |
| Son | 28 |
| Til | Ingliz |
tourism digitalization, free independent travel (FIT)
This article examines the characteristics of financially independent higher educationinstitutions as competitive actors within the higher education system. The theoretical foundationsof financial autonomy, global…
This study presents an innovative ecological monitoring model using GoogleEarth Engine (GEE) to support sustainable tourism development in the historical cities ofUzbekistan. By integrating remote sensing data from…
Tourism remains one of the world's fastest-growing economic sectors, yet its environmentalfootprint and governance deficits remain insufficiently measured and managed. This articleaddresses a persistent gap in the…
The integration of digital technologies into the tourism sector is fundamentally reshapingdestination competitiveness worldwide. Multilingual tourism route recommendation web systemscreate new strategic opportunities…
This paper compares Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Hungary andUzbekistan—two transition economies with contrasting paths and geopolitical contexts. Hungary,an EU member since 2004, has become a mature FDI hub with…
This article examines the concept of green tourism and its role in sustainabledevelopment, focusing on Generation Z’s attitudes toward green tourism services. The study isbased on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)…
This article comprehensively analyzes the formation, institutional foundations andevolutionary development stages of the concept of free economic zones (FEZ) in the regionaleconomy based on theoretical and empirical…
This article examines the conceptual foundations for enhancing the exportpotential of regions, including its formation stages and development trends. The study exploresthe economic essence of export potential from the…
The entrepreneurial activity of persons with disabilities constitutes one of the criticaldimensions of contemporary economic policy, playing a decisive role in ensuring the economicand social integration of this…
Regional development assessment remains one of the most complex and contestedmethodological challenges in economic science. Traditional approaches relying predominantly onsingle-indicator measures such as gross regional…