Tourism - The Times Of Central Asia

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Tourism

Kyrgyzstan Moves to Expand Domestic and International Rail Tourism

Rail transport is expected to play a greater role in Kyrgyzstan’s tourism strategy as authorities seek to promote railways as an affordable and comfortable travel option for both domestic and international visitors. On February 11, the national railway operator Kyrgyz Temir Jolu and the Tourism Development Support Fund of the Kyrgyz Republic signed a memorandum of cooperation aimed at the sustainable development of domestic and international tourism through rail infrastructure and passenger services. The agreement provides for joint promotional campaigns and coordinated railway tourism projects. According to Kyrgyz Temir Jolu Chief Executive Officer Azamat Sakiev, rail-based tourism has demonstrated steady growth since the launch of dedicated tourist trains in partnership with travel companies in 2021. He said the company is prioritizing domestic routes while working to restore demand for cross-border rail travel. New routes are planned for this year, alongside continued modernization of rolling stock. Refurbished railcars featuring traditional interior design have already entered service, aimed at strengthening the country’s tourism brand and enhancing the passenger experience. Following the upgrades, the company reports a noticeable increase in traveler interest. Kyrgyz Temir Jolu has introduced luxury and VIP compartment cars on the Bishkek-Balykchy line serving the Issyk-Kul region. Last year, the route was extended to the Balykchy Beach stop, providing passengers with direct access to the lakeshore during the summer tourist season. In 2025, the route carried 116,122 passengers, up 31% compared to 2024. Kyrgyzstan’s rail network remains limited, largely reflecting Soviet-era infrastructure. The main line runs from the Kazakh border through Bishkek to Balykchy. Despite these constraints, the country hosted 27 international tourist trains between 2022 and 2025, bringing visitors from Europe, Asia, and the United States, indicating growing global interest in rail-based travel to Kyrgyzstan. Rail tourism is also expanding at the regional level. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan recently extended their joint Jibek Joly tourist train route to include Dushanbe, strengthening cross-border rail tourism links in Central Asia. Meanwhile, British operator Golden Eagle Luxury Trains has launched The Grand Silk Road, a 22-day luxury rail journey connecting major Silk Road destinations across the region.

Tourism

New Rail Tour Launched Across Silk Road Routes in Central Asia

Rail tourism is gaining traction in Central Asia, offering travelers a slower yet more immersive way to experience the region’s historic Silk Road cities. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have recently expanded their joint Jibek Joly tourist train route to include Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, an initiative that further strengthens regional railway tourism. A new high-end offering has now entered the market. British operator Golden Eagle Luxury Trains has launched The Grand Silk Road, a 22-day luxury rail journey traversing key cultural and historical landmarks along the ancient Silk Road corridor. Spanning approximately 3,862 kilometers, the route begins in Beijing and concludes in Tashkent. It passes through northwest China and four Central Asian countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Notable stops include Almaty, Bishkek, Lake Issyk-Kul, Dushanbe, and Uzbekistan’s major heritage cities, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Kokand, and Nukus. The inaugural departure is scheduled for September 21 to October 12, 2026. The route is expected to increase high-end tourism to Central Asia. Due to the absence of a direct railway link between China and Kyrgyzstan, a segment of the journey, between Kashgar and Almaty, will be completed by air. Kyrgyzstan’s existing rail network connects to Kazakhstan, extending to Bishkek and Balykchi, near Lake Issyk-Kul. Meanwhile, China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan are advancing the construction of a new cross-border railway that will directly link the three countries. Once operational, the line is expected to facilitate both freight transit and tourism, providing a critical new artery for regional connectivity.

Tourism

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.

Tourism

Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan Jibek Joly Train Tour Extended to Tajikistan

Kazakhstan’s national railway company, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), has announced the expansion of its popular Jibek Joly (Silk Road) tourist train route to include Tajikistan, adding a new stop to one of Central Asia’s flagship railway tourism initiatives. The updated route will now reach the Tajik capital, Dushanbe, extending the tour beyond Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan for the first time. The inaugural journey on the extended route is scheduled to depart from Almaty on March 20, 2026, and return on March 25, passing through a series of historic Silk Road cities: Turkestan (Kazakhstan), Samarkand (Uzbekistan), Dushanbe (Tajikistan) and Tashkent (Uzbekistan). The tour package includes rail travel, guided sightseeing, entrance to cultural and historical sites, and organized transfers. Its launch coincides with Nauryz, the region’s traditional spring holiday, allowing travelers to experience vibrant local celebrations along the way. First introduced in November 2024, the Jibek Joly train originally ran between Almaty, Turkestan, and Tashkent, and has since become a highly visible symbol of the region’s growing tourism sector. The project reflects broader efforts to promote Central Asia as a unified tourist destination. Regional leaders have advocated for a shared visa-free regime for foreign visitors, similar to Europe’s Schengen Zone, to encourage cross-border travel and boost international tourism. Officials say that initiatives like Jibek Joly can help strengthen cultural ties, foster regional integration, and raise Central Asia’s profile on the global tourism map.

Tourism

The Potential and Problems of Tourism in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan boasts unique natural landscapes that could attract international visitors, and significantly enrich the country's economy. Each year, the government allocates increasing funds to support tourism. However, services and infrastructure in many tourist destinations still remain well below international standards. Undeniable Improvements According to Talgat Gazizov, Chairman of the Board of the national company Kazakh Tourism, more than 1,100 tours to Kazakhstan are currently available on 18 major online platforms across Europe and Asia – a threefold increase compared to 2023. This reflects growing interest among international tour operators. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, authorities are also weighing up the possibility of opening casinos in designated tourist zones, accessible exclusively to foreign citizens. In 2025, Kazakhstan invested nearly $2.5 billion in the development of its tourism sector, a 32% year-on-year increase. The number of tourists staying in accommodation facilities rose by 12%, surpassing 10 million. Kazakhstan also improved its position in the World Economic Forum’s global tourism index, climbing from 66th to 52nd place. The stated goal is to break into the top 50. Currently, 328 tourism investment projects are underway. Notable among them are the Oi-Karagai mountain resort, Hilton and Mandarin Oriental hotel complexes, the Zhibek Zholy entertainment complex, and the Keruen Inn roadside service chain. These projects are expected to create around 10,000 permanent jobs. A Comprehensive Development Plan for the Almaty Mountain Cluster includes expanding ski resorts and integrating them into a unified system. The celebrated Shymbulak ski base and Medeu high-altitude skating rink, both located near Almaty, are among the country’s most distinctive attractions. The plan envisions 30 new cable cars and 161 kilometers of ski slopes, aiming to boost annual tourist numbers from 1.8 million to 5 million. Authorities note that, globally, ski tourists spend seven times more than beach tourists. The Shchuchinsk-Borovskaya (Burabai) resort area is also a development priority. Infrastructure expansion around Lakes Katarkol, Maloye and Bolshoye Chebachye, and Zhukei is intended to ease pressure on Lakes Shchuchye and Borovoye. The number of inbound tourists to Burabai is projected to reach 94,000 by the end of 2029, with 32,500 people employed in the local tourism industry. In western Kazakhstan, development is planned along the Mangistau Peninsula, including Teply beach and Kendirli resorts on the Caspian Sea. Efforts are also underway to improve access to the striking rock formations of Bozhyr and Tamsha, which rival world-famous geological landmarks. Services and Infrastructure Lag Behind Despite progress, serious shortcomings persist, chief among them underdeveloped services. The lack of public toilets in tourist zones and along highways has been repeatedly highlighted. Government data shows that many resort areas in the Akmola, Karaganda, and Pavlodar regions, as well as in the Abai and Zhetysu regions, lack reliable water supply and central sewage systems. The use of well water remains a pressing concern. In the Abai region, some recreation centers are situated dangerously close to water sources. Lake Alakol, a popular summer destination, requires urgent shoreline reinforcement. Similar dredging work is also necessary in Caspian...

Tourism Development

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.