Kazakhstan Enhancing Tourism Industry through Infrastructure Upgrades and Digital Advancements
Let's Talk Travel in Kazakhstan
Get ready to explore Kazakhstan's booming tourism industry, folks! Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov recently chaired a meeting to review the country's robust tourism growth. From agri- to eco-tourism, this Central Asian gem is diversifying its offerings.
National Parks, Ecotourism, and Agrotourism
Yerbol Myrzabossynov, the Minister of Tourism and Sports, proposed giving regional administrations the power to build tourist infrastructure outside urban areas, including in national parks. Eight visitor centers have already been constructed, and trail systems and infrastructure are being expanded to support ecotourism. In 2024, 2.8 million people visited 14 national parks, marking an impressive 18% increase from 2023. The government is also encouraging farmers to participate in agrotourism, which could create jobs and bolster rural living standards.
Streamlining Access
The hotel classification system, unchanged since 2008, is set to be updated to meet international standards. A green corridor system is being piloted at border checkpoints with Russia and the Kyrgyz Republic, making it smoother for organized tourist groups to enter. To further simplify travel, officials are discussing making the Neo Nomad Visa accessible online via Kazakhstan's visa migration portal.
Shopping Paradise
Kazakhstan is looking to expand its Tax Free system, which encourages shopping tourism with tax refunds for foreign buyers. The pilot program, active in several cities since 2019, generated sales of 4.9 billion tenge (US$9.3 million). They aim to make this system available nationwide. To improve the quality of tourism services, a new digital platform, E-Guides, has been launched to help tourists find certified local guides more easily.
Key Destinations and Developments
Development plans for the Schuchinsk-Burabai resort area include eight observation platforms, upgrades to 14 tourist routes, and the construction of a public beach at Lake Shchuchye. Major projects in this area include a congress center, a hotel with a water park and villas, a cottage town, and an apart-hotel under the Hilton brand. Almaty Mayor Yerbolat Dossayev presented the smart SuperApp, which enables users to buy tickets, plan routes, book tours, and explore attractions virtually. Almaty is also expanding its MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) tourism sector with upcoming facilities like the new Almaty Museum of Arts and the Tselinny Center for Contemporary Culture.
Skiing, Shopping, and Cultural Delights
Expect a world-class ski resort in Almaty with 150 kilometers of trails, set to attract up to five million visitors annually. Another key initiative is the transformation of heritage sites like the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi into tourism hubs.Looking for a cultural experience? Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a global festival destination, hosting large-scale events featuring international artists.
Inclusive Tourism and Event Tourism
To cater to a broader audience, Murat Karatai, the head of the Pioneer family resort, advocated for the expansion of inclusive children's resorts. They aim to create a nationwide network of inclusive resorts and train specialists in family and inclusive tourism. Malik Khassenov, the producer at Astana Concert company, outlined several high-profile upcoming events to boost event tourism, including the Alem Fest music festival headlined by Craig David, Comic Con Astana, and a concert by American singer and actress Jennifer Lopez.
- By 2029, national parks in Kazakhstan may see increased visitors as the government continues to expand trail systems and infrastructure to support ecotourism.
- As part of efforts to simplify travel, officials are discussing making the Neo Nomad Visa accessible online, facilitating travel for tourists.
- In addition to offering a digital platform, E-Guides, to help tourists find certified local guides, Kazakhstan is also aiming to make its Tax Free system available nationwide, encouraging shopping tourism.
- To bolster the Central Asian gem's tourism industry, Kazakhstan plans to construct a world-class ski resort in Almaty, set to attract up to 5 million visitors annually.
- To cater to a broader audience and increase the availability of inclusivity, Murat Karatai, the head of the Pioneer family resort, is advocating for the expansion of inclusive children's resorts in Kazakhstan.
