Kazakhstan welcomes nearly 12 million foreign tourists this year

ASTANA – The number of international tourists visiting Kazakhstan has doubled, reaching 11.5 million this year. The Kazakh capital brought together more than 30 foreign and local tourism officials and experts to discuss the development of the industry in Kazakhstan.

The press service of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported on December 23 that revenues of accommodation establishments increased by 27% this year, reaching 224 billion tenge ($429.5 million).

According to Kazakh Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sports Yerjan Yerkinbayev, government support measures for private investors and businesses must be strengthened next year. Efforts to attract foreign direct investment in the tourism sector also need to be intensified.

“It is important to develop the necessary amendments to regulatory legal acts and legislation to improve the engineering and infrastructure of resort areas, including roads, electricity and water supply,” Yerkinbayev said.

During the meeting, participants presented concrete measures to develop tourism in Kazakhstan, such as expanding the activities of the Kazakh National Tourism Company, introducing new financing methods and increasing the position of the country on the international tourist scene.

One hundred and nineteen investment projects totaling 120.4 billion tenge ($230.9 million) are expected to be completed in Kazakhstan’s tourism sector by the end of this year, employing 1,319 people.