This study examined the role and significance of wellness tourism in the advancement of sustainable urban and regional development in Uzbekistan. The combination of healthcare, environmental sustainability and economic development that characterizes wellness tourism ensures sustainability not only at the local level but also at the regional level. The study aims to study the main factors influencing the demand for wellness tourism in Uzbekistan and its role in regional sustainable development. The relationship of wellness tourism with economic, demographic and tourism-related factors was assessed using the OLS regression model based on data from the Agency for Statistics of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2010–2023. The results showed that the most important factors in the demand for wellness tourism are population income, the volume of healthcare services, domestic and inbound tourism. An increase in these factors significantly contributes to higher demand for wellness tourism. At the same time, increasing the number of new sanatoriums and resorts does not directly affect the demand for wellness tourism. On the contrary, it is more important to increase the capacity of existing sanatoriums and improve the quality of service. These results provide useful recommendations for organizations responsible for state policy, investors and tourism specialists.