Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balaeva highlighted the importance of the Almaty Superski project for the development of Kazakhstan’s tourism industry, taking into account modern requirements for safety, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure quality.

Aida Balaeva emphasized that tourism is becoming one of the strategically important sectors of the economy, influencing employment, the development of small and medium-sized businesses, investment, services, and the country’s international image. In 2024, Kazakhstan was visited by 15.3 million people, while the number of domestic tourists reached 10.5 million, which is 900 thousand more than the previous year. These figures indicate that tourism is becoming a real driver of economic growth and one of the tools for promoting the country in the world.

In recent years, there has been particular interest in nature, ecological, and mountain tourism. In 2024 alone, Kazakhstan’s national parks were visited by 2.8 million people, which is 18% more than in 2023.

“If earlier such recreation was more often chosen by prepared tourists and skiing enthusiasts, today natural territories are becoming places of mass visits. People go there with families, with children, for weekends, for hiking, active recreation, and short trips to nature,” Aida Balaeva noted.

Development of Mountain Tourism Requires a New Approach to Infrastructure

At the same time, the growth of tourist flow without modern and timely infrastructure leads to spontaneous tourism, increases the load on nature, and creates risks for people’s safety. Tourism is a complex sphere where economy, culture, safety, and business intersect. The development of ski tourism requires a new approach and a more modern vision of the Almaty Mountain Cluster.

“President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev particularly noted that tourism is a complex sphere that combines economy, culture, safety, and business. Speaking about the development of ski tourism, the President emphasized the need for a new vision for the Almaty Mountain Cluster. It is in this context that the Almaty Superski project should be considered. This is not just a matter of building separate infrastructure. This is a conversation about the future of Almaty, about the development of the entire tourism industry of Kazakhstan, about the accessibility of mountains for citizens, people’s safety, and a responsible attitude toward the unique nature of the Zailiysky Alatau,” the Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Culture and Information emphasized.

The significance of the Almaty Superski project goes beyond one city and will help strengthen Kazakhstan’s international image as a modern, open, and competitive tourist destination.

“Today, development and ecology cannot be opposed. A responsible state must simultaneously protect nature, create infrastructure, ensure people’s safety, and open new opportunities for citizens. Almaty Superski should become an example of how Kazakhstan can civilizedly, safely, and carefully unlock the potential of its unique natural resources in the interests of society, the country, and future generations,” the Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan pointed out.

Aida Balaeva noted that modern infrastructure should reduce the load on nature through rules, limits, well-thought-out routes, environmental monitoring, and a culture of behavior.

The Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Culture and Information separately emphasized that the lands of Kok-Zhailau are not being removed from the Ile-Alatau State National Natural Park and retain the status of a specially protected natural territory, and the project does not provide for the construction of private cottages and villas. Implementation is permissible only with strict compliance with environmental requirements, scientific support, public control, and personal responsibility of the executors.

Almaty Superski Should Develop as Public Infrastructure with Clear Rules

Almaty Superski can expand opportunities for visiting the mountains by different groups of citizens, including families with children, the elderly, and people with limited mobility. For this, cableways, safe routes, visitor centers, observation decks, and basic sanitary infrastructure are needed. The project should function as public infrastructure, not as a closed resort, Aida Balaeva noted. The connected system of Medeu – Shymbulak – Kok-Zhailau – Kumbel will also allow the distribution of tourist flow and reduce the load on Shymbulak.

“It is important for us to hear all opinions — residents, ecologists, experts, representatives of civil society. But the discussion should be based on facts, scientific expertise, and an understanding of the long-term interests of Almaty and the entire country,” the Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Culture and Information emphasized.

The development of the Almaty Mountain Cluster is possible only with compliance with the law, preservation of the environmental protection status of the territory, transparency of decisions, and environmental requirements. The Almaty Superski project should be implemented as regulated infrastructure with clear rules, control, and consideration of public interests.

#Infrastructural development #President's instruction #Tourism

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