Head to Kazakhstan: The Booming Domestic Tourism Scene
Domestic Tourism Booms in Kazakhstan Amidst Global Instability
In the midst of global instability and escalating travel costs, Kazakhstan has emerged as a lucrative destination for locals, as confirmed by travel expert Sofya Tastemirova at the KOMPAS International Travel Market conference. This event took place during the Kazakhstan International Travel Fair (KITF) Travel Forum in Almaty on April 24, according to KITF's official press release.
Feeling the buzz? The KITF Travel Forum 2025, under the theme of 'Trand Zone: Beyond Travel', looks promising!
Tastemirova highlighted that in 2024-2025, domestic tourists are embracing the unexplored beauty of lesser-known yet breathtaking regions like Ulytau, Assy-Turgen plateau, and Mangystau. Meanwhile, the ever-popular Almaty Region, including Kolsai, Kaindy, and Charyn Canyon, remains a favorite. Even Turkistan is strengthening its position thanks to improved infrastructure.
Everybody's in! With a whopping 10.5 million domestic tourists in 2024, the trend just doesn't seem to be slowing down!
Tourism preferences have drastically shifted, moving towards eco-tourism and short weekend getaways. Young travelers are drawn to the natural wonders of Charyn and Bayanaul, while families prefer more comfortable destinations such as Burabai, Mangystau, and Turkistan. On the other hand, older tourists opt for health-improvement retreats and pilgrimages.
Some 93 Kazakh and 438 international representatives showcased their travel products at the KITF, opening up a world of unique travel experiences.
Tastemirova also emphasized the popularity of tours focused on unique experiences, such as ethno-tours, festival trips, and yurt-based stays in the heart of nature. Earlier in March, the Keruen Express, a new railway cruise along the Silk Road, debuted, redefining comfortable travel in Central Asia.
In 2025, Kazakhstan embarks on ambitious tourism projects. Construction continues on Astana's light rail train (LRT), set to improve visitor logistics. New astronomical-focused tourist routes are in the pipeline for the Almaty Region, with particular focus on the Assy-Turgen plateau.
Infrastructure along Lake Alakol's shores and in Balkhash is being upgraded, with plans for new recreational zones. The government supports over 1,000 projects aimed at developing eco-tourism, ethno-tourism, and event tourism nationwide.
A glance at the tourism horizon in Kazakhstan reveals exciting developments ahead. So, get ready to pack your bags and explore the treasures of this Central Asian gem!
A Glimpse into Kazakhstan's Tourism Future
- Neo Nomad Visa: Expected to drive tourism by encouraging exploration across Kazakhstan's expansive territories.
- National Park Reforms: Enhancements aim to boost rural and eco-tourism experiences.
- Ski Tourism Development: Massive investments in Almaty mountain cluster infrastructure aim to generate 10,000 jobs and host 7.5 million tourists annually by 2029.
- Global Festivals: Kazakhstan's rich cultural events showcased to draw in more tourists nationwide.
- KITF-2025: This major event held in Almaty from April 23 to 25, 2025 draws in industry leaders and travelers, demonstrating Kazakhstan's tourism potential and fostering international collaborations with countries like Azerbaijan.
These initiatives are a hallmark of Kazakhstan's vision to diversify its economy and make tourism a significant contributor to economic growth.
- In 2025, Kazakhstan plans to introduce a Neo Nomad Visa, aiming to encourage exploration across its vast territories.
- National Park reforms are underway to boost rural and eco-tourism experiences, with a focus on lesser-known yet breathtaking regions like Ulytau, Assy-Turgen plateau, and Mangystau.
- Kazakhstan aims to generate 10,000 jobs and host 7.5 million tourists annually by 2029 with massive investments in Almaty's mountain cluster ski tourism infrastructure.
- Kazakhstan's rich cultural events will be showcased globally to attract more tourists, with the focus on drawing visitors nationwide.
- The KITF-2025 event, held in Almaty from April 23 to 25, 2025, showcases Kazakhstan's tourism potential to travel industry leaders and fosters international collaborations with countries like Azerbaijan.
