Central Asian Ambassadors celebrate the publication of a tourist guide to Kazakhstan

Jane Anderson
Jane Anderson
Central Asian Ambassadors celebrate the publication of a tourist guide to Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan’s tourism sector recently attracted international attention with the release of a new travel guide, celebrated by Central Asian ambassadors in Seoul. The initiative highlights Kazakhstan’s growing efforts to position itself as a major tourism destination and boost cultural and economic exchanges with South Korea and beyond.

On July 9, during a ceremony in Seoul, Central Asian ambassadors marked the release of a new tourist guide aimed at promoting the cultural and natural riches of Kazakhstan and its neighbors. This event is part of the broader efforts of these countries, and in particular Kazakhstan, to attract foreign tourists and increase revenues for the tourism sector. In 2023, Kazakhstan welcomed 9.2 million foreign tourists, a figure that doubled from the previous year, signaling a robust recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tourism, Kazakhstan’s new economic engine

Kazakhstan considers tourism a key driver of economic growth. The Astana government has also adopted the Concept of “Tourism Development” for 2023-2029, which aims to increase the number of domestic tourists to 11 million and foreign visitors to 4 million by 2030. A plan which includes in particular investments in infrastructure, the creation of well-marked tourist trails and the development of ecotourism and agrotourism projects.

Moreover, the development of tourism between Kazakhstan and China has been particularly dynamic, with more than 200,000 Chinese visitors in 2023. A series of events, including cultural forums and B2B conferences, have been organized to strengthen tourism and commercial exchanges between the two nations.

The publication of this travel guide underlines Kazakhstan’s determination to diversify its economy by exploiting its tourism potential. With varied landscapes ranging from the Tian Shan Mountains to the vast steppes, the country offers a wealth of attractions for travelers. The government is also working to resolve infrastructure issues to make destinations more accessible and attractive to investors​​