ASTANA, Dec 24(Astana Times) – The number of international tourists visiting Kazakhstan has doubled, reaching 11.5 million this year. The capital, Astana, hosted a gathering of over 30 foreign and local officials and experts in tourism to discuss the industry’s development in the country.
According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ press release on Dec. 23, the income from accommodation facilities increased by 27% this year, totaling 224 billion tenge (US$429.5 million).
Kazakh Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sports, Yerzhan Yerkinbayev, emphasized the need to enhance government support measures for private investors and business entities next year. He also highlighted the importance of attracting foreign direct investment in the tourism sector.
“It is important to work out the necessary amendments to regulatory legal acts and legislation to improve the engineering and infrastructure support of resort areas, including roads, electricity, and water supply,” Yerkinbayev stated.
Participants at the meeting outlined concrete steps for growing tourism in Kazakhstan, including expanding the activities of the Kazakh Tourism national company, introducing new funding methods, and boosting the country’s position in the international tourism market.
The Kazakh government expects to complete 119 investment projects in the tourism sector by the end of this year, totaling 120.4 billion tenge (US$230.9 million) and employing 1,319 people.
