Tourism - The Times Of Central Asia

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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 Central Asia Tourism

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.

Uzbekistan Transport and Logistics Tourism Kazakhstan

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.

Tourism

Uzbekistan to Introduce New Visa Program for Those Looking for ‘Second Home’

Uzbekistan is introducing a tourist visa program called Uzbekistan Is My Second Home, enabling foreign visitors to stay in its north-western Khorezm region for up to a year without restrictions. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has also unveiled a three-year plan for developing the region’s tourism industry, commenting that the sector is one of Khorezm’s primary economic drivers. In the town of Khiva, in the western part of Khorezm, authorities are planning to open new 24-hour cafes, restaurants, and grocery stores. Major Uzbek cities, including Urgench just north of Khiva, are to receive 30 billion sum (around $2.4m) in subsidies in order to lower the cost of airline tickets. Unfortunately, several parts of Khorezm still currently lack hotels. Loans at present are offered at an 18% interest rate for a period of seven years -- with a two-year grace period -- for the construction of hotels and resorts to increase the number of available tourist beds. The Khorezm region has the highest density of tourist attractions, historical sites, and architectural artifacts in all of Uzbekistan. The area is home to 254 cultural heritage monuments, which span the Neolithic era and the 19th century. Thirty-two are holy places, 66 are sculptures, six are attractions, and 18 are archaeological.

Tourism

Almaty the Most Popular Tourist Destination in Kazakhstan

Over 835,000 foreign tourists visited Kazakhstan from January to September 2023, an increase of more than a third compared to the previous year, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Kazakhstan has announced. The ministry revealed the top five most popular destinations in Kazakhstan among foreign tourists. The country’s largest city, Almaty, was in first place with 410,000 tourists. Almaty and its surroundings attract tourists with ski resorts and beautiful nature. Recently Condé Nast Traveler Italia recommended Shymbulak ski resort as one of the world’s top five ski resorts, and The New York Times included Almaty in its list of 52 places worth visiting in 2024. Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, was in second place, with 220,000 foreign guests. The Mangistau region on the shores of the Caspian Sea was in third place, with 35,000. The western Atyrau region was in fourth place, with 25,000 tourists, and the country’s third-largest city, Shymkent, was the fifth destination, with over 20,000 visitors. Nurtas Karipbaev, the chairman of the Tourism Industry Committee at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Kazakhstan, commented: “Citizens of 81 countries now enjoy a visa-free entry into Kazakhstan. In the future we plan to increase this figure to 100.” According to the National Bureau of Statistics, from January to September 2023 the majority of travelers visiting Kazakhstan were from Russia — over 350,000. Chinese tourists were in second place (over 75,000), followed by Turkey (over 40,000), India (almost 35,000), and the USA (almost 30,000).