Tourism in Kazakhstan
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File:Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Hazrat-e Turkestan, Kazakhstan.jpg]]
File:Tourism in Kazakhstan.svg
Kazakhstan is the ninth-largest country by area and the largest landlocked country in the world. Tourism is not a major component of the economy. As of 2014, tourism has accounted for 0.3% of Kazakhstan GDP, but the government had plans to increase it to 3% by 2020.{{cite web|author=Joanna Lillis for EurasiaNet, part of the New East |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/17/kazakhstan-eases-visa-restrictions-attract-tourists |title=Summer holiday in Kazakhstan? Astana eases visa restrictions to attract tourists | World news |work=The Guardian |date=17 July 2014 |access-date=2015-11-18}}{{cite web|url=http://www.eurasianet.org/node/68601 |title=Kazakhstan: Astana Announces Visa-Free Travel for 10 High-Investing States |publisher=EurasiaNet.org |date=16 June 2014 |access-date=2015-11-18}}{{update inline|date=June 2022}}
According to the World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017, travel and tourism industry GDP in Kazakhstan is $3.08 billion or 1.6 percent of total GDP. The WEF ranks Kazakhstan 81st in its 2017 report, which is four positions higher compared to the previous period.{{Cite news|url=http://reports.weforum.org/travel-and-tourism-competitiveness-report-2017/country-profiles/#economy=KAZ|title=Country profiles|work=Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017|access-date=2017-04-07|language=en-US}} Kazakhstan received 6.5 million tourists in 2016.
Industry
In 2012, Kazakhstan ranked 51st in the world in terms of number of tourist arrivals. In 2000 total 1.47 million international tourists visited Kazakhstan, which was increased to 4.81 million in 2012.{{cite web|url=http://mecometer.com/whats/kazakhstan/international-tourism-number-of-arrivals/ |title=International tourism, number of arrivals – Kazakhstan |publisher=Mecometer.com |access-date=2015-11-18}} The Guardian describes tourism in Kazakhstan as, "hugely underdeveloped," despite the attractions of the country's dramatic mountain, lake and desert landscapes. Factors hampering an increase in tourist visits are said to include "shabby infrastructure," "poor service" and the logistical difficulties of travel in a geographically enormous, underdeveloped country. Even for locals, going for holiday abroad may cost only half the price of taking a holiday in Kazakhstan.{{cite news|last1=Lillis|first1=Joanna|title=Summer holiday in Kazakhstan? Astana eases visa restrictions to attract tourists|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/17/kazakhstan-eases-visa-restrictions-attract-tourists|access-date=11 December 2015|work=The Guardian|date=17 July 2014}} High-end tourists like Britain's Prince Harry have visited for the skiing.{{cite news|title=Prince Harry in Kazakhstan: ski resorts and other attractions|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/snowandski/10720930/Prince-Harry-in-Kazakhstan-ski-resorts-and-other-attractions.html|access-date=11 December 2015|publisher=The Daily Telegraph}}
According to the UK consulting firm Brand Finance, Kazakhstan is one of the fastest growing nation brands of 2019. The country was ranked 44th in the 2019 report, which is 7 spots higher than in the previous year. According to the report, a good nation brand can help boost inbound tourism and promote economic cooperation with other countries.{{cite web |title=Nation Brand report 2019 |url=https://brandirectorypublic.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/reports_free/Nation%20Brands%20100%20-%202019%20-%20FREE.pdf |website=Brand Finance}}
= Hong Kong Airlines =
In April 2025, Hong Kong Airlines announced plans to launch passenger flights to Kazakhstan's largest cities, Almaty and Astana. This development was revealed during a visit by Kazakh Vice Minister of Transport Talgat Lastayev to Hong Kong International Airport on 29 April. The discussions, which included meetings with senior officials from the Hong Kong Transport and Logistics Bureau, Airport Authority Hong Kong, and major regional carriers such as Cathay Pacific, also highlighted Hong Kong International Airport's continued leadership in global air cargo, having ranked first worldwide for 14 consecutive years, handling 4.9 million tons of cargo in 2024.{{Cite web |date=30 April 2025 |title=Hong Kong Plans to Launch Flights to Almaty and Astana |url=https://astanatimes.com/2025/04/hong-kong-plans-to-launch-flights-to-almaty-and-astana/ |access-date=5 May 2025 |website=Astana Times}}
=Government initiative=
The Kazakh Government, long characterized as authoritarian with a history of human rights abuses and suppression of political opposition,{{cite news|last=Zarakhovich|first=Yuri|date=27 September 2006|url=http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1539999,00.html|title=Kazakhstan Comes on Strong|magazine=Time|access-date=13 December 2015}} has started an initiative named the "Tourism Industry Development Plan 2020". This initiative aims to establish five tourism clusters in Kazakhstan: Astana city, Almaty city, East Kazakhstan, South Kazakhstan, and West Kazakhstan Oblasts. It also seeks investment of $4 billion and the creation of 300,000 new jobs in the tourism industry by 2020.{{cite web|url=http://en.tengrinews.kz/environment/Kazakhstan-to-develop-its-tourism-industry-254241/ |title=Kazakhstan to develop its tourism industry. Environment. Tengrinews.kz |publisher=En.tengrinews.kz |date=18 June 2014 |access-date=2015-11-18}}
In May, 1999 the Kazakhstan Tourism Association (President - Roza Asanbayeva) was founded with the approval of the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev. KTA is a non-commercial, non-governmental organization including following members: the Kazakhstan Association of Hotels and Restaurants (Honour President - Kuat Tanysbayev), Amadeus computerized reservation systems, tour operators, insurance companies, airlines, universities and the media. The association's main objective is to protect the interests of over 400 members, by lobbying the government and promoting tourism within the national economy.{{cite web | url=http://atameken.kz/ru/news/26418-dve-krupnejshie-associacii-turizma-v-kazahstane-otmechayut-dni-rozhdeniya|title=Две крупнейшие ассоциации туризма в Казахстане отмечают дни рождения}}
The 2006 comedy film Borat, which portrayed Kazakhstan as a comically backwards, racist and antisemitic country, resulted in an increase in tourism.{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/kazakhstan/9221240/Borat-has-given-Kazakhstan-tourist-boost.html|title = Borat 'has given Kazakhstan tourist boost'}} The government banned the film and took out advertisements to defend the nation's honor. By contrast, upon the release of the sequel, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, in 2020, the national tourism agency Kazakh Tourism adopted the film's catchphrase as its slogan – Kazakhstan. Very Nice! – and produced a number of videos featuring it.{{Cite news|last=Stein|first=Joel|date=2020-10-26|title=Kazakhstan, Reversing Itself, Embraces 'Borat' as Very Nice|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/26/business/kazakhstan-embraces-borat.html|access-date=2020-10-26|issn=0362-4331}}
In 2024, the Jibek Joly tourist train embarked on its inaugural, five day journey throughout Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan, as part of the government of Kazakhstan's tourism initiative. It began in Almaty, Kazakhstan, visited Turkistan, and finished in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-23 |title=Jibek Joly Tourist Train Embarks on Inaugural Journey from Almaty to Tashkent, Connecting Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan for a Unique Silk Road Experience - Travel And Tour World |url=https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/jibek-joly-tourist-train-embarks-on-inaugural-journey-from-almaty-to-tashkent-connecting-kazakhstan-and-uzbekistan-for-a-unique-silk-road-experience/ |access-date=2025-05-18 |language=en-US}} Alongside this, over 120 railway stations were renovated, and new airport terminals were constructed in Almaty,{{Cite web |last=Abuova |first=Nagima |date=26 June 2024 |title=New Almaty International Airport Showcases Its Facilities |url=https://astanatimes.com/2024/06/new-almaty-international-airport-showcases-its-facilities/ |access-date=May 18, 2025 |website=Astana Times}} Shymkent, and Kyzylorda. Also in that year, the prime minister reported Kazakhstan received 15 million foreign visitors.{{Cite web |title=Kazakhstan welcomes 15 mln tourists in 2024 |url=https://english.news.cn/20250409/562a680d40574ecc883665ae22cc222f/c.html |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=english.news.cn |language=en}}
Visa policy
{{main|Visa policy of Kazakhstan}}
Kazakhstan offers a permanent visa-free regime for up to 90 days to citizens of Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia and Ukraine and for up to 30 days to citizens of Argentina, Azerbaijan, Serbia, South Korea, Tajikistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan.{{cite web|title=Visa Information|url=https://www.timaticweb.com/cgi-bin/tim_website_client.cgi?FullText=1&COUNTRY=KZ&SECTION=VI&SUBSECTION=00&user=KLMB2C&subuser=KLMB2C|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140314210737/https://www.timaticweb.com/cgi-bin/tim_website_client.cgi?FullText=1&COUNTRY=KZ&SECTION=VI&SUBSECTION=00&user=KLMB2C&subuser=KLMB2C|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 March 2014|work=Timatic|publisher=IATA|access-date=30 April 2016}}
Kazakhstan established a visa-free regime for citizens of 45 countries including European Union and OECD member states, the USA, UAE, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.{{cite web|title=Kazakhstan abolishes visa requirements for travellers from 45 countries|url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/news/2017/01/04/kazakhstan-abolishes-visa-requirements-travellers-45-countries/#ixzz4UquRdLP9|publisher=The Lonely Planet}}
In September 2020, Kazakhstan started issuing visas electronically.{{cite web |title=Kazakhstan amends regulations on visa issuance to foreign nationals |url=https://kazakh-tv.kz/en/view/business/page_216470_kazakhstan-amends-regulations-on-visa-issuance-to-foreign-nationals |website=kazakh-tv.kz}} The country also expanded the list of countries whose citizens can get single-entry business visas, tourist visas and medical treatment visas online. The new list includes 109 states.
Arrivals by country
Most visitors arriving to Kazakhstan were from the following countries of nationality:[http://stat.gov.kz/faces/wcnav_externalId/publicationsCompilations?lang=ru&_adf.ctrl-state=qxt6nxycv_128&_afrLoop=10506052476958360 Туризм Казахстана. 2.4 Количество посетителей по въездному туризму]
{{update section|date=October 2020}}
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+Tourism to Kazakhstan by state, 2013–2016 | |||
| scope="col" style=background:#fff203| Country
! scope="col" style=background:#fff203| 2016 ! scope="col" style=background:#fff203| 2015 ! scope="col" style=background:#fff203| 2014 ! scope="col" style=background:#fff203| 2013 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| scope="row"| {{flag|Uzbekistan}}
| {{hs|01}} {{increase}} 2,459,757 || {{hs|01}} {{increase}} 2,297,180 || {{hs|01}} {{decrease}} 2,107,177 || {{hs|01}} {{increase}} 2,494,568 | |||
| scope="row"| {{flag|Russia}}
| {{hs|02}} {{decrease}} 1,587,409 || {{hs|02}} {{decrease}} 1,646,568 || {{hs|02}} {{decrease}} 1,757,721 || {{hs|02}} {{increase}} 1,780,574 | |||
| scope="row"| {{flag|Kyrgyzstan}}
| {{hs|03}} {{decrease}} 1,348,709 || {{hs|03}} {{increase}} 1,359,625 || {{hs|03}} {{decrease}} 1,308,139 || {{hs|03}} {{decrease}} 1,382,706 | |||
| scope="row"| {{flag|Tajikistan}}
| {{hs|04}} {{increase}} 207,009 || {{hs|04}} {{increase}} 158,507 || {{hs|05}} {{decrease}} 137,443 || {{hs|05}} {{increase}} 186,214 | |||
| scope="row"| {{flag|China}}
| {{hs|05}} {{increase}} 117,465 || {{hs|05}} {{decrease}} 111,706 || {{hs|04}} {{increase}} 228,617 || {{hs|04}} {{increase}} 205,066 | |||
| scope="row"| {{flag|Azerbaijan}}
| {{hs|06}} {{increase}} 94,846 || {{hs|08}} {{increase}} 89,296 || {{hs|08}} {{decrease}} 83,174 || {{hs|06}} {{increase}} 112,617 | |||
| scope="row"| {{flag|Germany}}
| {{hs|07}} {{increase}} 90,286 || {{hs|09}} {{increase}} 88,346 || {{hs|09}} {{increase}} 79,572 || {{hs|09}} {{decrease}} 75,491 | |||
| scope="row"| {{flag|Turkey}}
| {{hs|08}} {{decrease}} 89,611 || {{hs|06}} {{increase}} 106,301 || {{hs|06}} {{increase}} 104,986 || {{hs|07}} {{increase}} 92,070 | |||
| scope="row"| {{flag|Ukraine}}
| {{hs|09}} {{decrease}} 73,390 || {{hs|07}} {{increase}} 97,100 || {{hs|07}} {{increase}} 84,932 || {{hs|08}} {{increase}} 82,971 | |||
| scope="row"| {{flag|Belarus}}
| {{hs|10}} {{increase}} 63,520 || {{hs|11}} {{increase}} 62,786 || {{hs|11}} {{increase}} 55,356 || {{hs|10}} {{increase}} 55,090 | |||
| scope="row"| {{flag|Turkmenistan}}
| {{hs|11}} {{decrease}} 63,156 || {{hs|10}} {{increase}} 69,230 || {{hs|10}} {{increase}} 66,938 || {{hs|12}} {{increase}} 47,711 | |||
| scope="row"| {{flag|United States}}
| {{hs|12}} {{decrease}} 26,402 || {{hs|13}} {{increase}} 29,124 || {{hs|13}} {{increase}} 25,824 || {{hs|13}} {{decrease}} 22,508 | |||
| scope="row"| {{flag|Armenia}}
| {{hs|13}} {{decrease}} 26,097 || {{hs|12}} {{decrease}} 37,461 || {{hs|12}} {{decrease}} 39,934 || {{hs|11}} {{increase}} 54,244 | |||
| scope="row"| {{flag|South Korea}}
| {{hs|14}} {{increase}} 22,276 || {{hs|15}} {{increase}} 22,046 || {{hs|15}} {{increase}} 20,445 || {{hs|15}} {{decrease}} 16,620 | |||
| scope="row"| {{flag|United Kingdom}}
| {{hs|15}} {{decrease}} 20,166 || {{hs|14}} {{increase}} 24,201 || {{hs|14}} {{increase}} 23,036 || {{hs|14}} {{decrease}} 22,389 | |||
| style="border-top:3px solid green;"
!scope="row"| Total | {{hs|16}} {{increase}} 6,509,390 | {{hs|16}} {{increase}} 6,430,158 | {{hs|16}} {{decrease}} 6,332,734 | {{hs|16}} {{increase}} 6,841,085 |
References
{{reflist|30em}}