Roadmaps for TOP-20 priority tourist territories development to be approved in Kazakhstan

Further measures to develop tourism were discussed at the Government session chaired by Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov. 

According to the Minister of Tourism and Sports Ermek Marzhikpaev, at the end of the first half of the year, more than 3 million Kazakhstanis traveled within the country by 400 thousand more than in the same period last year. According to forecasts, by the end of the year the number of domestic tourists will reach 9 million people. There is also a twofold increase in foreign tourists: more than 500 thousand people at the end of 6 months. It is expected that by the end of the year the figure will reach 1.4 million tourists.

With the growth in the number of tourists, the income of entrepreneurs in the tourism sector has also increased. For the first half of the year, places of accommodation for travelers and holidaymakers earned about 100 billion tenge, which is 30 billion tenge more compared to the same period last year.

At the same time for 9 months of the current year in the tourism sector managed to attract 404.8 billion tenge of investment growth of 44%. In the context of regions on this indicator are leading North-Kazakhstan, Pavlodar, Aktobe and Almaty regions.

The Minister reminded that since 2022 in Kazakhstan introduced new measures of state support aimed at stimulating the activity of entrepreneurs in this industry. In general, since the beginning of 2023, there has been a positive trend in all measures of state support. To date, applications totaling more than 600 million tenge have been approved.

In parallel, work continues on the development of tourism infrastructure, expansion of the "Kids go free" program, promotion of the republic's tourist image at the international level, digitalization of the industry, etc. 

On the development of skiing and eco-tourism in Almaty region, promotion of historical and cultural heritage of Abai region and attracting tourists to Bayanaul resort area of Pavlodar region reported Akims of the regions Marat Sultangaziev, Nurlan Urankhaev and Asain Bayhanov.

Representative of tourism business Alexander Guzhavin also spoke at the meeting.

Alikhan Smailov noted that in accordance with the instructions of the Head of State in the issue of diversification of the economy, the Government should pay significant attention to the development of tourism potential of the republic.

"We need new breakthrough projects in the sphere of tourism. Over the past 3 years the industry has attracted investments of $4 billion. More than 400 facilities have been built and about 7 thousand permanent jobs have been created,"he said. 

Prime Minister added that hotels of more than 20 well-known international chains have been opened in Kazakhstan and this factor serves to attract foreign tourists. In addition, only for the last 3 years there has been a continuous growth of ecotourists in national parks.

"Since last year, state support measures have covered projects for the construction of tourism facilities, the development of ski resorts and the purchase of tourist buses. Children's air tickets for citizens of Kazakhstan traveling within the country are subsidized. Tour operators receive subsidies for attracting foreign tourists," Alikhan Smailov said. 

In general, citizens of 80 countries can stay in Kazakhstan without a visa. Foreigners from 109 countries have the opportunity to get an electronic visa. Along with this, the geography of international air services is expanding.

"Today, priority tourist territories in Kazakhstan have been identified. The "anchor" projects will be realized there. Moreover, I believe that given the great potential of the tourism industry in our country, every region should be involved," the Prime Minister said.

According to him, in this regard, the TOP of tourist destinations should be expanded and the concept of year-round use of tourist facilities should be laid down. Head of the Government emphasized that it is important to build the work at the system level. As a result, it will improve the rating of Kazakhstan in the global Travel and Tourism Development Index of the World Economic Forum.

However, he pointed out that the effective development of the industry is hindered by a number of constraints. Among them are lack of infrastructure, limited number of accommodation facilities, low level of logistics and quality of services.

"We need to be sensitive to the complaints and recommendations of tourists. For example, this year tourists spoke about frequent power outages in the resort area of Alakol. The increasing flow of tourists requires active development of infrastructure. Addressing these issues should become the responsibility of each akim," Alikhan Smailov said. 

According to the Prime Minister, today the entire tourism potential of the country is also not taken into account. In particular, on the territory of Bayanaul resort zone development is limited only by Lake Zhasybay. The possibilities of other lakes, mountains and cultural monuments of the region are not fully utilized.

"In the past summer season there were many complaints about the quality of services for organizing tours on the Assy plateau and Kapshagai tourist zone. Systematically there is information about inflated prices for cab services, in the spheres of catering and hotel services. Such precedents reduce the tourist attractiveness of the country," he said. 

As Alikhan Smailov noted, it is necessary to start work on reforming the hotel classification system and raising the standards to the international level. In this regard, the Ministry of Tourism together with the Ministry of Trade has been instructed to conduct an audit of facilities and services in the tourism sector for their compliance with international standards.

Prime Minister also demanded to approve road maps for the development of TOP-20 priority tourist areas. 

"All local monuments of history, picturesque natural landscapes and other assets of our people should be properly integrated into tourist products," he said.

At the same time, the head of the Government instructed to work out specific approaches to the development of agro-, eco- and cultural tourism.

In conclusion, Alikhan Smailov outlined the need to provide tourist facilities with the necessary infrastructure, to take measures aimed at improving the safety of tourists, to ensure an active information campaign about the tourism potential of the Republic of Kazakhstan abroad, as well as to approve an action plan for digitalization of the tourism industry and improving the quality of services.

"At the same time, it is important to cover the full cycle of digitization and simplification of a foreign tourist's stay from arrival to departure, as well as the full range of services for domestic tourism," he concluded.

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