Kazakhstan Expects to Double Influx of Foreign Gambling Tourists

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports expects the number of foreign gambling tourists to double following the planned opening of new casinos in four regions of the country. Gambling tourists are foreign nationals who travel specifically to visit casinos and other gambling establishments. Currently, gambling is legally permitted only in two designated zones: the city of Konaev in the Almaty region and the Shchuchinsk-Burabay resort area in the Akmola Region. These facilities are open to both Kazakh and foreign citizens. The government is considering a significant expansion of the gambling sector’s footprint. Plans are underway to open new casinos that will be accessible exclusively to foreign tourists. Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sports Baurzhan Rapikov said the proposed locations for the new facilities include the East Kazakhstan, Almaty, Mangistau, and Zhetysu regions. He added that the expected economic impact includes about 500 jobs per casino, annual tax revenues of $4 million to $8 million, and an increase in gambling tourists from 100,000 to 200,000 per year. In parallel, Kazakhstan is prioritizing the digitalization of its tourism sector. Beginning in February, the ministry will launch the development of a unified digital tourism ecosystem based on the Kazakhstan.Travel platform.  The upgraded system will feature an intelligent, AI-powered route planner, online booking tools, and optimal travel date suggestions. A new feature, KazTuristBot, will provide personalized recommendations and 24/7 support for travelers. For businesses, the platform will offer a showcase of tourism products, demand analytics, and digital tools for accessing government support. Authorities will also gain access to real-time data on tourist flows, enabling targeted infrastructure development in high-demand regions. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan emerged in 2025 as one of the fastest-growing destinations in Central Asia for South Korean tourists. Data from the Agoda platform showed a 295% increase in travel interest between January and October.

Kyrgyzstan to Launch Unified Digital Tourism Platform to Attract Foreign Visitors

Kyrgyzstan is preparing to launch a unified Digital Tourism Platform designed to simplify travel procedures and strengthen the country’s appeal to foreign tourists. At a government meeting on January 26, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliev pointed to long-standing structural challenges in the tourism sector, including fragmented services for visas, logistics, and insurance, as well as the absence of a centralized coordination mechanism. “Tourists should not face bureaucracy and language barriers at every stage. A single-window platform must integrate government services, private-sector offerings, and payment instruments from entry to exit,” Kasymaliev stated. He directed the Department of Tourism, the Ministry of Digital Development, and the Ministry of Finance, in coordination with the Tunduk State Portal of Electronic Services, to secure funding and oversee the platform’s technical implementation. Tourism’s economic contribution is steadily increasing. In 2025, the sector accounted for 4.3% of Kyrgyzstan’s GDP, with nearly 10 million tourist arrivals, according to Adilet Januzakov, Director of the Tourism Support and Development Fund, speaking on Sputnik Radio. Januzakov noted a shift in government policy from maximizing tourist numbers to improving infrastructure and service standards. The aim is to create comfortable conditions for a wide range of travel experiences, from ecotourism and camping to premium hospitality. Key initiatives include the construction of an Olympic village on Lake Issyk-Kul, the development of ski resorts and amusement parks, and the continued digitalization of tourist routes, such as integrating eco-trails into the 2GIS navigation system. Authorities also plan to implement a national classification system for hotels and guesthouses, designed to increase market transparency and provide consistent service quality for visitors. According to the National Statistical Committee, revenue from foreign tourists exceeded $813 million between January and September 2025, making tourism one of Kyrgyzstan’s key non-resource sectors.