Determinants of Hotel Performance in Uzbekistan's Transitioning Economy

General Background: The hospitality sector plays a critical role in supporting economic development, particularly in emerging tourism destinations. Specific Background: Uzbekistan, undergoing structural and economic transformations, presents a unique case for evaluating the determinants of hotel performance in a transitioning economy. Knowledge Gap: Despite growing interest in tourism-driven growth, empirical analyses on how macroeconomic and infrastructural factors influence hotel performance in post-Soviet states remain limited. Aims: This study investigates the impact of foreign direct investment, international tourist arrivals, ICT infrastructure, skilled labour availability, and government support on hotel performance across Uzbekistan's 14 regions from 2015 to 2023. Results: Employing a balanced panel dataset, the analysis reveals that all key variables positively and significantly affect revenue per available room (RevPAR) and occupancy rate, with digital infrastructure and human capital exerting the strongest influence. Novelty: The study provides a regionally disaggregated, data-driven assessment of hotel performance drivers in a post-transition economy, bridging the gap between institutional development and tourism sector outcomes. Implications: The findings underscore the need for integrated policy frameworks that align technological advancement with human capital and institutional support to enhance competitiveness in the hospitality industry across similar transitional contexts. Highlight: Digital infrastructure and human capital are the strongest drivers of hotel success. First empirical study using regional panel data in post-transition Uzbekistan. Highlights need for synchronized policy and institutional support in tourism. Keywords: Hotel Performance, Uzbekistan, ICT Infrastructure, Skilled Labour, Tourism Development