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Second Train Tour Launched Between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

Kazakhstan’s national railway company, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), has announced the launch of its second train tour, Jibek Joly (Silk Road) 2.0, connecting major cities in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The inaugural journey on this new route will depart from Almaty on January 2, 2025, and return on January 7. The itinerary includes stops at some of the most iconic and culturally rich destinations in the region: Turkestan, Kazakhstan: Passengers will spend a full day exploring this ancient city, including a visit to the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its unique architecture. Tashkent, Uzbekistan: The tour will highlight the historical landmarks of the Uzbek capital, along with modern attractions such as the Magic City theme park. Samarkand, Uzbekistan: Travelers will visit landmarks including the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, Registan Square, and the Ulugbek Madrasah. Shymkent, Kazakhstan: The final stop on the tour is Kazakhstan’s third-largest city, known for its dynamic urban culture. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, this initiative follows the success of the first four-day train tour launched in November, which connected Almaty, Turkestan, and Tashkent. The Jibek Joly 2.0 train route underscores Kazakhstan’s commitment to enhancing regional tourism and strengthening cultural ties between the two nations.

Tourism tourism industry international tourism Bilateral Cooperation Visa China

Kazakhstan Sees 50% Surge in Chinese Tourism During Landmark Year of Collaboration

The Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China concluded on November 27 with a closing ceremony in Almaty, attended by over 300 representatives from the tourism sectors of both countries. The initiative, officially launched in Beijing on March 28–29, aimed to foster greater connectivity between Kazakhstan and China while encouraging mutual cultural and economic exchange. It also facilitated stronger partnerships among tourism industry stakeholders from both nations. Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sports of Kazakhstan, Yerzhan Yerkinbayev, highlighted the year’s success: “This year was marked by a significant expansion of cooperation between Kazakhstan and China in the field of tourism. The tourist flow between our countries demonstrated significant growth, which once again emphasizes that we are united not only by good neighborliness but also by a common desire for mutual understanding and cultural exchange.” According to Kazakhstan’s Border Service, the number of trips by Kazakhs to China increased by 31% in 2024, while visits by Chinese tourists to Kazakhstan rose by 50%. Data from Kazakhstan’s National Bureau of Statistics reveals that 566,500 foreign tourists visited Kazakhstan between January and June 2024. Among these, Chinese tourists were the second-largest group, totaling 69,918. Visitors from Russia topped the list at 186,100, followed by tourists from India (53,695), Turkey (30,312), and the United States (19,597). The Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China attracted substantial media attention. Chinese media corporations extensively covered Kazakhstan’s tourism potential, achieving an overall media indicator of 1.8 billion views. Posts about Kazakhstan on social media platforms reached 160 million users, significantly boosting the country’s visibility in China. Building on this momentum, the governments of Kazakhstan and China have designated 2025 as the Year of China Tourism in Kazakhstan. Additionally, an agreement on mutual visa-free travel came into effect in November 2023. Under the agreement, citizens of both countries can travel visa-free for up to 30 days per visit, with a maximum of 90 calendar days within a 180-day period. This arrangement applies to tourism, medical treatment, business trips, and transit travel.

tourism industry international tourism mountains Sports France

France to Support Development of Kyrgyzstan’s Largest Ski Resort

Kylychbek Rysaliyev, President of Kyrgyzstan’s Tourism Development Support Fund, recently met with French Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Nicolas Faye to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation in tourism. During the talks, Ambassador Faye reaffirmed France’s commitment to supporting the development of a major skiing complex in the Issyk-Kul region. Highlighting the importance of the Three Peaks Ski Complex project, Ambassador Faye described it as a priority for the French Embassy, promising France’s expertise in its design and execution. “The lack of direct flights between Kyrgyzstan and France currently hinders a broader influx of tourists,” noted Ambassador Faye, emphasizing that improving air connectivity could significantly boost tourism potential. Rysaliyev underscored the value of French expertise, pointing to France’s robust tourism industry, which is a key driver of its national economy. He expressed confidence that collaboration on the Issyk-Kul ski complex would facilitate valuable knowledge exchange and elevate Kyrgyzstan’s position as a global tourist destination. The Three Peaks Ski Complex, a flagship initiative announced by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, is already in its preparatory phase. Infrastructure improvements, including road construction, power supply, and water systems, are underway. The state-owned company Kyrgyz Courchevel has been tasked with overseeing the project’s development. The first phase of the resort, set to open by 2030, will include 60 kilometers of ski tracks out of an anticipated 200 kilometers, six ropeways, and a range of facilities such as hotels, restaurants, ethno-towns, and conference halls. The project is expected to position the Issyk-Kul region as a premier skiing destination, fostering economic growth and attracting international visitors.

Tourism Infrastructure Regional Cooperation Bilateral Cooperation railroads international tourism tourism industry

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.

tourism industry international tourism Airports Infrastructure Development Tourism

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...

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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.