Tourism - The Times Of Central Asia

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Qazaq Culture Portal Launched in Kazakhstan

In an enlightened new initiative to attract international attention to the country’s rich cultural and historical heritage, the Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan has supported the creation of an information and educational portal on Qazaq Culture. Available in the six official languages of the United Nations, as well as Kazakh and Turkish, the portal offers a unique and comprehensive insight into Kazakhstan’s many diverse regions. Visitors to the site will be afforded a virtual exploration of the country’s landmarks and attractions in the section, ‘Culture of Kazakhstan Through the Prism of Artificial Intelligence’, and delve deeper into its heritage by accessing source material and publications held in the Archive Fund of Kazakhstan. In addition to a cultural news blog covering a vibrant array of festivals, contests, film and theatre premieres, books, and art exhibitions, the website will feature a single ticket system for all the cultural facilities in Kazakhstan.

Economy Central Asia Tourism Kazakhstan Culture

Sell-Out of U.K. Tours to World Nomad Games in Kazakhstan

Due to an unprecedented demand, U.K. package tours, organized by Regent Holidays and Wild Frontiers, to attend the Fifth World Nomad Games in Astana from 8-14 September 2024, have already sold out. The news, reported by Kazakh Tourism, is perhaps not surprising given that the magazine 'Wanderlust', listed Kazakhstan as one of its top 24 destinations in 2024 on account of the country's hosting the event. With reference to Kazakhstan being the only Central Asian country to make the list, Kairat Sadvakasov, chairman of the board of Kazakh Tourism, commented, "Year after year, Kazakhstan is becoming a center of attraction for foreign tourists. That's because we are a relatively new destination, particularly for American [and] European readers of Wanderlust. To appear on the publication's list shows great progress in the development of our tourist industry. It's also important for us to let everyone know about the World Nomad Games in our capital city. We hope that (it) we will open up a new perspective on Kazakhstan and especially, Astana." The World Nomad Games are international competitions in indigenous ethnic sports historically played by nomadic peoples. Aimed to support the development of ethno-sports and ethno-cultural development, the Games are included in UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage. Comprising 20 sports, this year's event will involve some 3,000 competitors from more than 100 countries. Costing $17.9 million to present, the Games are expected to attract 20,000 foreign spectators.

Kazakhstan Tourism Central Asia Economy

Tourism Doubles in Kazakhstan

In 2023, Kazakhstan hosted more than 9 million foreign tourists, double that of the previous year. According to the Bureau of National Statistics, guests mainly hailed from from Germany, Great Britain, China and South Korea and the key factors cited for the growth were a post-pandemic rebound in global tourism coupled with Kazakhstan's cancellation of tourist fees. However, experts have warned that for the industry to continue to develop and thrive, Kazakh authorities must strive to improve both the infrastructure and promotion of tourism. As illustrated by statistical data, over the course of 2023, hotels and hostels in Kazakhstan accommodated some 8 million people. Of the million visitors from abroad, half came to Kazakhstan for business, and half for leisure. Among them, the majority were citizens of Russia, India, the U.S., Germany, South Korea and the UK. The country received over 16,000 visitors from the UAE, and from Italy, almost 15,000. Notably, the introduction in November 2023, of a visa-free regime with China resulted in a two-fold increase in Chinese tourists. In a related report, Tatiana Vernitskaya, executive director of the Centre for Urban Tourism Development, stated, "The geopolitical situation around Kazakhstan is shaping up in favour of our tourism. There are now a lot of [migrants] from other countries in Kazakhstan, businesses have moved, - and European tourism has changed direction. Such changes are highly positive for Kazakhstan." She continued by saying, "There are states that (survive) on tourism. We have a huge potential (for expansion). Subsidies have only been available since 2022 (but access must be facilitated) to make them work. We (also) need advertisements at trade shows (complemented) by point-to-point workshops." Records show that the most popular destinations for foreign visitors were the country's two major cities. Last year Almaty hosted more than 2 million people, and Astana, 1.3 million, providing owners of hotels, hostels and guest houses with revenue of almost $515.5 million. By way of comparison, the number of tourists visiting Kazakhstan throughout 2023, is equal to that hosted by Thailand in the first 3 months of 2024, where local businesses earned almost $12.5 billion, equivalent to roughly one percent of Thailand's annual gross domestic product.

Kazakhstan Tourism China

Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China

The Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China was officially launched in Beijing on 28-29 March. The occasion was marked by several events including a Kazakh-Chinese forum on the development of tourism and investment, an exhibition representing Kazakhstan’s various regions, cultural activities staged in an ethno-village, and a gala concert. In his welcoming speech at the Kazakh-Chinese tourism and investment forum, Ermek Marzhikpayev, Minister of Tourism and Sports of Kazakhstan, said: “The Year of Tourism of Kazakhstan in the People's Republic of China is a landmark event that helps strengthen friendly relations between the two countries. We believe that our dialogue will give new breath and new horizons for partnership in the field of tourism, creating the basis for fruitful and long-term cooperation.” He added that Kazakhstan’s rich nomadic culture, centuries-old history, and unique natural landscape has much to offer to travellers with wide-ranging interests. Kairat Sadvakasov, chairman of Kazakh Tourism national company, likewise celebrated the launch saying, “We are convinced that Kazakhstan is one of the most attractive destinations for Chinese tourists, being not just a friendly and neighboring country with a visa-free regime, but also a strategic partner of the 'Belt and Road' Initiative. We offer tourists engagement with the concept of ‘Eco-Ethnic-Entertainment-Events’ including: ecotourism, ethno-tourism, and cultural entertainment.” China was second only to Russia in the list of countries whose citizens visited Kazakhstan in 2023. According to official statistics, over the first nine months of last year, more than 75,000 Chinese tourists stayed in Kazakh hotels, and a total of over 200,000 visitors from China visited Kazakhstan.

Legislation Uzbekistan Tourism Central Asia

Demolitions in Bukhara Continue Despite UNESCO Demands for a Halt

Demolitions in Bukhara's buffer zone continue despite Uzbekistan's promises to harmonize its plans with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). On February 26, demolition began on the 23,000-seat Bukhara Arena stadium near Bukhara's historic centre. Ignoring the fact that construction of the Bokii Bukhoro tourist centre is under review by ICOMOS, the advisory body of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee, local authorities are activating their plans. UNESCO claims that on February 8, a letter was sent to the Uzbek government requesting clarification of plans for the project, but have received no response to date. On March 2, Sara Noshadi, head UNESCO in Uzbekistan, issued the statement: "UNESCO is closely monitoring the state of conservation of the Bukhara World Heritage Site, including concerns expressed by civil society about potential construction plans in the buffer zone of the site. The World Heritage Centre has contacted the Uzbek authorities on this matter to request additional information and clarify the situation. The World Heritage Centre hopes that the authorities will fulfil their obligations under the World Heritage Convention and will not undertake any demolition/construction projects without prior notification and assessment by the World Heritage Committee, whose next session is in July 2024. UNESCO stands ready to provide expertise and assistance to safeguard the Outstanding Universal Value of the site." Alerte Héritage is a non-governmental organization for the protection of Central Asian architectural and cultural heritage headed by Boris Chukhovich. A specialist in architecture and the protection of cultural heritage, Chukhovich actively advocates the protection of Bukhara's historic centre. He strongly criticized the plan for the tourist centre, as "disastrous" and a "sham" and stated, "We appeal to UNESCO, which is responsible for World Heritage sites, and to the Uzbek government, which is responsible for the preservation of the country's cultural heritage, as well as to all concerned institutions and individuals: the demolition must be stopped and further plans discussed and made available to the public as soon as possible!" Bukhara joined UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in 1993 and reflects the urban planning and architecture of the period of Uzbek rule by the Shibanid dynasty. The territory of the historical centre of Bukhara is 216 hectares, and its protected area, 339 hectares. The total area of the planned tourist centre is 32.6 hectares, all within the protected area of Bukhara's historical centre which contains two objects of cultural heritage included in the National Register: the Sallakhkhana gate, restored in 2012, and the bust of Abu Ali ibn Sina, installed in 1980. However, according to local officials, Bukhara's infrastructure -- much of which was built during the Soviet era -- needs improvement to attract tourists. According to the requirements of the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of UNESCO, any major facilities planned for construction in Bukhara's historical centre and its buffer zone must be pre-approved by UNESCO and, according to local legislation, by the Cultural Heritage Agency of Uzbekistan.

Kazakhstan Tourism Uzbekistan Transport and Logistics

Expansion of Transport Connections between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

On March 8th, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan Beibut Atamkulov and the Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan Ilhom Makhkamov met in Tashkent to discuss the expansion of transit, transport and logistics links between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The implementation of a collaborative project to improve the road and rail infrastructure between the two countries is essential for the realization of a plan to increase bilateral trade to $10 billion per annum. Kazakh-Uzbek rail and road freight is growing. In 2023, the volume of rail freight alone, between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, increased by 17.2% to 31.4 million tons, compared to 26.8 million tons in 2022. The resumption of air services between the Kazakh cities of Almaty and Aktobe and Uzbekistan’s Nukus, as well as new connections between the countries’ tourist centres including Turkestan-Samarkand, Turkestan-Bukhara, and Turkestan-Urgench, was also discussed. The current number of weekly flights between cities in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan is 25; between Astana and Tashkent, 8, and between Almaty and Tashkent, 17.