Kazakhstan is emerging as a leading travel destination in Central Asia for South Korean tourists, with interest surging by 295% from January to October 2025, according to data from the digital tourism platform Agoda.

Kazakh Tourism, the national tourism company, said that the data reflects a sharp rise not only in actual visits, measured through accommodation bookings but also in search queries for travel to Kazakhstan. The increased availability of direct flights between the two countries has played a significant role in this growth. Agoda reports that the launch of the Incheon-Almaty route by Eastar Jet boosted interest in Almaty, with search activity jumping by 348%.

Shymkent, located in southern Kazakhstan, also saw an 89% rise in interest from South Korean travelers. This increase coincides with the May launch of a direct Incheon-Shymkent flight by SCAT Airlines. Meanwhile, Air Astana has expanded its services with more frequent flights from Seoul to both Almaty and Astana.

“We are seeing a clear increase in interest among South Korean travelers in destinations that combine adventure, culture, and authenticity, with Central Asia standing out as a region of growing interest,” said Jay Lee, Agoda’s regional director for North Asia.

Interest from South Korea is part of a broader regional trend. Agoda reported a 225% rise in search activity for the four main Central Asian destinations, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, compared to the same period last year.

Kazakh Tourism noted that it has been actively promoting the country’s tourism potential in South Korea through B2B meetings and information tours aimed at fostering cooperation between leading tour operators.

While Agoda’s figures highlight a significant uptick in online interest, Kazakh Tourism’s own data shows more moderate growth in actual tourist arrivals. From January to September 2025, the number of South Korean visitors to Kazakhstan rose by 25% year-on-year, reaching over 41,300 people. This made South Korea the fifth-largest source of tourists to Kazakhstan, following China (693,000 visitors, up 42%), India (113,000), Turkey (over 103,000), and Germany (more than 81,000).

According to the Border Service, Kazakhstan welcomed more than 12.2 million foreign visitors in the first nine months of 2025, 730,000 more than during the same period in 2024.

As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan has also taken the regional lead in medical tourism this year, surpassing its Eurasian neighbors in growth and infrastructure development.

On December 8, during the annual session of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Council in Geneva, world-renowned Kazakh singer Dimash Kudaibergen was officially appointed a Global Goodwill Ambassador.

The announcement, highlighted on the artist’s official website, reflects his “long-standing commitment to supporting people in crisis situations.”

Kudaibergen had previously served as the IOM’s Regional Goodwill Ambassador since 2024, using his global platform to raise awareness about the challenges facing migrants, promote their integration, and participate in various humanitarian efforts.

His engagement with the IOM deepened in 2025. The artist took part in the organization’s Ramadan campaign, voiced strong opposition to human trafficking, and met with IOM Director General Amy Pope to reaffirm his support for ongoing humanitarian programs.

Throughout his global “Stranger” tour, Kudaibergen championed messages of inclusivity and sustainability, performing in cities including New York, Mexico City, Barcelona, London, and Berlin. More than 100,000 attendees around the world heard his call to support the IOM’s mission. His performance of the iconic composition “S.O.S d’un terrien en détresse” at the Council meeting became an emotional highlight of the session.

“Dimash uses his voice not only to touch the hearts of his listeners, but also to help people affected by crises to be heard and seen,” said Pope, praising the artist’s impact.

Addressing member state delegations, Kudaibergen said, “Receiving the title of Global Goodwill Ambassador is an incredible honor. I accept it with great humility and a strong sense of responsibility.”

The IOM, established in 1951, is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and joined the United Nations system in 2016. Over the years, other UN Goodwill Ambassadors have included Angelina Jolie, Shakira, David Beckham, and Lionel Messi.

Dimash Kudaibergen is a People’s Artist of Kazakhstan (2023) and Kyrgyzstan (2025). Known for his extraordinary vocal range spanning seven octaves and seven semitones (G0 to D8), he blends pop, opera, and traditional Kazakh musical elements in his performances.