Under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, the Government held a session to consider issues of tourism industry development. Reports were delivered by Minister of Tourism and Sports Yerbol Myrzabosynov, Minister of Transport Nurlan Sauranbayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlan Nysanbayev, Minister of Internal Affairs Yerzhan Sadenov, Minister for Emergency Situations Chingis Arinov, Chairman of the Board of JSC “Kazakh Tourism Development” Yerzhan Yerkinbayev, and akims of Karaganda, Akmola, Mangystau regions, and Zhetisu Region.

Olzhas Bektenov noted that the President pays special attention to the development of tourism and related infrastructure, emphasizing their important role in increasing the country’s investment attractiveness.

“Issues of tourism industry development are under the constant control of the Head of State. At the meeting on the development of Alatau city, the President noted that tourism is closely linked with attracting investment. For this, it is first necessary to develop appropriate infrastructure so that people can relax not only in the summer months, but year-round,” the Head of the Government emphasized.

According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the number of domestic tourists served by accommodation facilities in 2025 amounted to 8.7 million people, which is 12% more than the previous year. The number of foreign visitors reached 15.7 million people, an increase of 500 thousand compared to 2024. In 2025, investment in the industry grew by 33% and reached 1.3 trillion tenge.

In Kazakhstan, the Operational Coordination Council under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva is functioning as part of the implementation of the President’s instructions on industry development. Regular field inspections of infrastructure and service development at tourist sites are being conducted.

At the same time, the Prime Minister emphasized that despite positive dynamics in the regions, the existing pace is insufficient. Thus, during the recent visit of the Head of State to Almaty Region, insufficient dynamics in the development of the tourism sector were noted. The President focused attention on the need for accelerated realization of the region’s tourism potential and infrastructure development. Similar issues are relevant for a number of other regions of the country.

In this regard, the Prime Minister instructed all akimats to ensure advanced rates of infrastructure development aimed at improving the comfort and safety of vacationers, as well as the quality of services provided. It was emphasized that the development of the tourism industry must be under the constant control of regional akims.

Special attention at the meeting was paid to the implementation of major tourism projects. In particular, the progress of the Almaty Superski mountain cluster project was reviewed. According to the Chairman of the Board of JSC “Kazakh Tourism Development” Yerzhan Yerkinbayev, the project provides for the construction of 60 km of ski slopes with a capacity of over 10 thousand people per day, 11 modern cableways, and related infrastructure.

Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlan Nysanbayev reported that a comprehensive research study was conducted jointly with scientists and leading ecologists, which established that the implementation of the project will not have a negative impact on the environment.

Olzhas Bektenov noted the importance of timely implementation of the project. The Head of the Government instructed state bodies to ensure ongoing explanatory work among the public at all stages of project implementation.

The Prime Minister also focused attention on the need to take measures for the development of ecotourism as one of the most dynamically growing areas of the global tourism industry. According to international analysts, the volume of the global ecotourism market may exceed $660 billion by 2034.

In 2025, the number of ecotourists in Kazakhstan exceeded 3.6 million people. At the same time, the country possesses unique natural sites, including the Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lakes, national parks Altyn-Emel, Ile-Alatau, Burabay, Bayanaul, and others.

Olzhas Bektenov noted that work on the development of these territories and attracting investors requires additional attention. It was emphasized that the realization of new modern projects is necessary to further unlock tourism potential. In this regard, the Ministries of Tourism and Sports, Ecology and Natural Resources, as well as akimats, were instructed to submit relevant proposals within one month.

Preparation for the summer tourist season remains an important area. Olzhas Bektenov emphasized the need to take additional preventive measures to ensure the safety of vacationers. The importance of explanatory work on compliance with safety rules on water bodies and handling fire, as well as transferring emergency response services to a heightened alert and monitoring mode, was noted.

In addition, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to install special information signs, maps, and routes in different languages in all recreation areas, parks, and beach territories, as well as to ensure strict compliance with cleanliness and sanitary standards. Safe and comfortable stays for tourists in recreation areas should become the basic standard of the domestic tourism industry. In this regard, the Operational Coordination Headquarters was instructed to take this issue under special control.

Following the meeting, the Head of the Government issued a number of instructions to state bodies and interested organizations.

“First. There are appeals from the population regarding limited transport accessibility to popular and remote tourist destinations. Concerns include the shortage and price availability of tickets for air and rail transport,” Olzhas Bektenov noted.

The Ministry of Transport, together with airlines and “KTZ”, was instructed to take measures to increase the number of flights and seating capacity on popular resort destinations at affordable prices.

Second. The Ministry of Ecology has identified priority national parks with high investment potential in 10 regions. There are also investors interested in implementing projects for park development. All interested state bodies were instructed to provide maximum assistance for their immediate implementation without unnecessary bureaucracy.

Third. During peak periods of the tourist season, there is an acute shortage of accommodation places for vacationers. Many use unequipped recreation areas. Akims of the regions must ensure in an accelerated manner the appropriate infrastructure for parking or sites for camping and motorhome recreation.

“In conclusion, I would like to draw attention to one important point. In countries with a highly developed tourism industry, the quality of recreation is largely determined not even by the convenience of hotels or the variety of routes and excursion programs, but by the professionalism of the staff who work with guests every day. This also concerns the level of hospitality on the part of the local population,” the Prime Minister emphasized.

In this regard, the Ministry of Tourism, together with akimats and tourism companies, was tasked with increasing the focus in their work on the quality of tourist service. It was noted that it is precisely this that affects the attractiveness of the industry and the image of the country.

Overall coordination has been assigned to Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva.

#Olzhas Bektenov #President's instruction #Tourism

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