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First Train Tour Launched Between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

Kazakhstan is launching a new international train tour called “Silk Road,” connecting the cities of Almaty, Turkestan, and Tashkent. The first train on this route will depart on November 16. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Kazakhstan, the four-day tour will allow travelers to plunge into the atmosphere of ancient cities along the historic Silk Road. The itinerary covers the most important sights of Turkestan and Tashkent and includes guide services, meals, transfers, and entrance fees. Vice-Minister of Tourism and Sports Yerzhan Erkinbayev mentioned that the route will strengthen cultural ties between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and make travel more comfortable and affordable. The tour program includes visits to historical places such as the ancient city of Otyrar, the mausoleum of Arystan Baba, the historical and cultural complex Azret Sultan, and the most significant tourist complex in Central Asia, Caravan-Saray. In Tashkent, tourists can familiarize themselves with historical sights and modern architecture. Earlier, the media reported on the launch of a tourist route between China and Kazakhstan. The train from China, which began running in July 2024, passes through the Khorgos-Altynkol border crossing, adding a new opportunity for travel in Central Asia.

Kazakhstan to Construct Three New Airports

Kazakhstan has started the construction of airports in the resort zones of Katon-Karagai, Zaisan, and Kenderli, which are popular tourist destinations. The airports will link the three resort areas with Astana and Almaty. Together with other measures, this will give the tourism industry a new push. Katon-Karagai State National Nature Park is the largest national park in the country. It is located in the East Kazakhstan region and is included in UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme as a biosphere reserve. Lake Zaisan is also located in Eastern Kazakhstan. It is a beautiful freshwater lake fed by the Irtysh River and surrounded by cliffs. Kenderli is a resort in the Mangistau region located on the coast of the Caspian Sea. It is becoming increasingly popular every year. The Civil Aviation Committee (CAC) said reaching these tourist destinations will be much easier. The sites for the construction of airports have already been identified. CAC reported that “In Zaisan, the airport will be located on the territory of the former military airfield named after Satpayev. The distance from the construction site to the city of Zaisan is 25 kilometers. In Katon-Karagai district, a new air harbor will be built between the villages of Katon-Karagai and Ulken Naryn, near Soldatovo. The distance from the construction site to Katon-Karagai village is 38 kilometers”. The Kenderli airport will be built 13 kilometers from the resort area. Construction of the three airports will begin in 2025 and provide direct air routes from Astana and Almaty. In December 2023, the Ministry of Transport reported that it plans to spend 16 billion KZT to build the airport in Zaisan and an additional 23.2 billion KZT in Katon-Karagai. Other major expenditures are planned for the development of the tourism industry. According to the Ministry of Sports and Tourism budget plan, these expenditures will increase the number of foreign tourists from 2 million in 2024 to 3.5 million in 2026 (+75%). The number of domestic tourists will also grow by 15% over three years to 8.5 million in 2026. It is reported that 4.6 billion KZT will be allocated for the formation and promotion of the tourism industry, including 1.52 billion KZT in 2024. In 2023, 2.44 billion KZT  was spent on these purposes. It is further planned to allocate 11.9 billion KZT for the training and education of professionals in the industry, including 3.5 billion KZT in 2024, for this purpose. Efforts to modernize the industry are already bearing fruit. In May 2024, Kazakhstan improved its position in the tourism development index. Kazakhstan ranked 52nd among 119 countries, beating Qatar, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Egypt, and Latvia. Kairat Sadvakasov, Chairman of the Board of Kazakh Tourism, called it a victory. He stated, "Our long-term goal is to enter the TOP-50 in this rating”. Achieving this ambitious goal will require serious efforts. In the summer, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev listed the shortcomings of the tourism sector and outlined priority areas of work. One of the most important points was logistics, as it...

Turkmen-Iranian Tourism Festival Held in Ashgabat

The Second Turkmen-Iranian Tourism Festival united representatives from the two states' tourism industry, cultural figures, and craftsmen. The opening ceremony was held in the Exhibition Hall of the Academy of Arts of Turkmenistan in Ashgabat. During the ceremony, visitors familiarized themselves with Iran's rich tourism potential, saw the works of Iranian craftsmen, and evaluated the proposals of Turkmen tourist companies. The festival's business program included a professional conference. Experts discussed the prospects of bilateral cooperation and new opportunities for increasing tourist flow between the countries. The organizers paid special attention to the cultural component of the event. The festival is designed to strengthen cultural ties between Turkmenistan and Iran and create a platform for the development of joint tourism projects. Earlier, the Academy of Arts of Turkmenistan exhibition hall hosted the opening of the Turkmen-Iranian Specialized Exhibition of Fashion and Clothing. The visitors could experience the latest achievements in Turkmenistan and Iran's fashion and textile industries. The first Turkmen-Iranian Tourism Festival was held in October last year. Visitors familiarized themselves with unique items of traditional folk crafts, handmade art products, national heritage, and modern trends of Turkmen and Iranian art masters.

Kazakhstan Listed as a Top Destination by Lonely Planet

Kazakhstan has been included in Lonely Planet's prestigious "Best in Travel 2025" ranking, earning it recognition as one of the year's best travel destinations. Lonely Planet, a leading international publisher, was established in 1973 and since then, has published comprehensive travel guides in 14 languages, covering 195 countries. Aimed to inspire people to explore the world, the organisation also publishes articles, lists, and rankings of the best places to visit, based on recommendations from experts and travelers and according to their unique cultures and natural diversity. Kazakhstan's high ranking in 'Best in Travel 2025', is largely attributed to its ancient traditions and modern achievements, and especially, its rich history and varied landscapes. Vice Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yerzhan Erkinbayev warmly welcomed the country's inclusion in the list as validation of the growing international interest in Kazakhstan and stated that it emphasised the importance of promoting sustainable tourism. Lonely Planet's executive editor, Nitya Chambers, said the publication is proud of its choice and confident that this list will inspire travelers to make new discoveries. In its description of Kazakhstan, Lonely Planet focuses on the intertwining of ancient traditions and modern culture, hailing  the country a place where every visitor can discover something unique. The publication also mentions echoes of the ancient Silk Road, tangible in the vast steppes. Tourism in Kazakhstan has been actively developing in recent years, and the country is becoming increasingly popular among international travelers. Popular destinations include Almaty, Astana, and national parks. In the first six months of 2024 alone, 566,500 foreign tourists visited Kazakhstan, an increase of almost 10% compared to the same period in 2023. The demographics of foreign tourists is also on the rise. In the first quarter of this year, the average revenue of Kazakh companies working in the tourism sector - tour operators, travel agencies, and other organizations - increased five-fold. For January-March, it exceeded 160.3 billion tenge; the highest quarterly income indicator of tourism companies since the beginning of 2022. Kazakhstan's tourist potential has also been praised by other well-known travel publications. Earlier, “Conde Nast Traveler” and “Wanderlust” included Kazakhstan as one of the top world destinations for travel in 2024, and Almaty was included in a list of the 52 best tourist destinations issued by The New York Times.

Leading UAE Hotel Chain Explores Options in Uzbekistan

A world-famous chain of hotels in the UAE is exploring entering the Uzbekistan market. The announcement  follows talks between Uzbek diplomats and Phillip Crouse, vice president of the United Arab Emirates' Jumeirah Group, and an introduction of the company's team to the recent reforms implemented in Uzbekistan, as well as programs and regulations to increase the country's tourist attractiveness, existing tourist routes, flights between the two countries, and hotels. Representatives were also presented with options to privatize or reconstruct large hotel complexes in the country. The entry of the Jumeirah brand into the Uzbekistan market will further increase the country's number of luxury hotels and enhance its ever-expanding tourist market. Over the past seven years, the number of foreign tourists visiting Uzbekistan has tripled, the volume of tourism services has increased fivefold, and the number of hotels and accommodation facilities has increased tenfold. Last year, more than 6.6 million tourists visited the country, providing a revenue of some 2.1 billion dollars, and according to recent reports, Uzbekistan aims to increase the number of foreign tourists to 15 million by 2030. Jumeirah, part of Dubai Holding, is a global luxury hotel company with 26 properties, including resorts, city hotels, and serviced residences across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.

Uzbekistan Aims to Attract 15 Million Foreign Tourists by 2030

In an article, “Uzbekistan Attracts More and More Foreign Tourists to the Country”, published on the popular online portal Tiger’s Media in Poland, Dunyo reports that Uzbekistan plans to increase the number of foreign tourists to 15 million by 2030. As stated by Tiger's Media, “this number is twice as much as the 6.6 million tourists who came to the country in 2023. In 2023, tourism brought about $2.1 billion to the economy and created about 70 thousand new jobs." The portal adds that “to attract the attention of young travelers, Uzbekistan is also attracting bloggers and social network activists with more than 10 million subscribers,” Uzbekistan is located on an important part of the ancient Silk Road. Cities of the republic, such as Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, important trade centers in ancient times, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, known for their architecture, including madrasahs, mosques, and bazaars. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that tourism revenue made up 2.35% of Uzbekistan’s GDP last year. Other countries in Central Asia are likewise looking to boost their tourism industry. In June, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke bluntly about infrastructure weaknesses that must be fixed. Kyrgyzstan, meanwhile, is focusing on its rugged, mountainous landscape, citing riding and hiking and “hunting with eagles” among its main attractions.