As part of his working visit to Almaty, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov conducted an aerial survey of the Almaty Mountain Cluster and held a meeting on its further development. The session brought together leaders of relevant government bodies, industry organizations, and both local and international experts.

Development plans for mountain tourism were presented by Almaty Akim Yerbolat Dossayev, Chairman of Baiterek Holding Rustam Karagoishin, and global industry leaders — Sinisa Topalovic (partner at Horwath HTL, USA), Vincent Tassart (CEO of Stem International, France), and Joan Viladomat (President of PGI Management, Andorra).

A Master Plan has been developed for the comprehensive development of the Almaty Mountain Cluster, outlining three strategic zones — eastern, central, and western — stretching from Turgen to Kaskelen. The plan envisions the construction of 300 to 700 km of ski trails built to international standards and accessible to the public. In the central zone alone, the number of ski lifts is expected to increase from 16 to 58. These developments are projected to raise capacity by 5.6 times — from 6,000 to 34,000 visitors per day — and create over 10,000 new jobs. By 2029, the Almaty Mountain Cluster is expected to become the largest year-round tourism destination in Central Asia.

Sinisa Topalovic of Horwath HTL noted that implementing the Master Plan would position Almaty as a world-class year-round mountain tourism destination. The strategic goal is to create the Almaty Mountains Destination brand, combining nature, leisure, sports, and culture. Key components include iconic tourist landmarks, cable car systems, and sports and hotel infrastructure.

The Prime Minister reviewed development plans for the central zone, which includes Shymbulak, Oi-Qaragai, Pioneer, Kimasar, and Butakovka. Vincent Tassart of Stem International emphasized that, alongside winter tourism, summer infrastructure will be prioritized through the development of cycling and hiking trails, recreation areas, glamping sites, eco-hotels, and sustainable transport. The project will incorporate renewable energy and digital environmental monitoring.

Joan Viladomat of PGI Management presented the concept for the Almaty Superski resort, which will encompass Kumbel Peak and Kok-Zhailau, with over 65 km of ski trails and more than 5,000 new jobs. Project lead Thomas Thor Jensen added that nearly half of the slopes will be designed for beginner skiers, promoting mass participation in winter sports. He also stressed a strong focus on environmental sustainability and inclusive infrastructure.

“Sustainable development is one of our company’s top priorities. From the beginning, we recognized the importance of protecting nature and ecosystems. That’s why we are minimizing earthworks and preserving the natural landscape during lift and trail construction. Our goal is to make the resort accessible to everyone — children, adults, and people with disabilities. All lifts will be designed for universal access,” Thomas Thor Jensen said.

The meeting also included expert opinions in support of the initiatives. Askar Valiev, Secretary General of the National Ski Association of Kazakhstan, emphasized the high load on existing resorts like Shymbulak, which limits athlete training capacity. He advocated for building modern infrastructure for sports and international competitions.

“The Kok-Zhailau project deserves special attention. It’s based on sustainable development principles and responsible use of natural resources — a direction the entire world is moving toward. Now is the time to act. Let’s connect Shymbulak and Oi-Qaragai and develop the smaller resorts in between. Let’s move forward with the full development of the Almaty Mountain Cluster,” Valiyev said.

Nurzhan Niyazaliyev, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at PANA ASIA, emphasized the need for thoughtful and eco-conscious planning to manage increasing tourist flows and ensure visitor safety.

Yevgeny Mukhamedzhanov, founder of ECO Network and member of the Almaty Public Council, highlighted the importance of transparency, environmental standards, and community engagement in all mountain cluster projects.

Wrapping up the session, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov expressed strong support for the presented approaches. He stated that the government will ensure quality and environmental control throughout construction and will prioritize inclusive infrastructure.

“Tourism and travel today account for over 10 % of global GDP — more than $11 trillion — and employ over 300 million people. In Kazakhstan, under President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s leadership, we are actively modernizing the country and diversifying the economy beyond raw materials. Alongside large-scale industrial and infrastructure projects, I see dynamic development of tourism as equally important. Kazakhstan aims to become a prominent tourist destination, and we have a major advantage — our mountains. Experts worldwide recognize the Almaty mountains as among the finest. That’s why we’re planning to build a world-class high-altitude resort in the coming years,” Olzhas Bektenov said.

He noted that the Master Plan envisions development from Talgar to Kaskelen, with the potential to build up to 700 km of ski trails. The government will finance core infrastructure — roads, transport, utilities, and ski systems — with the private sector to follow. According to experts, each $1 invested in mountain infrastructure attracts $2 in resort-related investment. This will transform the economic landscape not just of Almaty and its region, but of the entire country.

Design work is already underway, with the central zone selected as a starting point due to its existing infrastructure. This includes connecting Oi-Qaragai with Pioneer, Butakovka, Kimasar Gorge, and Shymbulak, which will enter its second development phase. Expansion will extend toward the glaciers and westward to Kumbel Peak and Kok-Zhailau.

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Tourism currently accounts for 3.9 % of Almaty’s gross regional product, employing more than 83,000 people. In 2024, the city welcomed over 2.3 million tourists, including more than 680,000 foreign visitors. The sector continues to grow, with tourism services increasing by 30 % and tax revenues doubling. Large-scale infrastructure projects will further strengthen the city's position as a regional tourism hub.

The Almaty Mountain Cluster will become Kazakhstan’s first major year-round tourism project. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, ski resorts in Ridder (East Kazakhstan) are also planned for future development.

The Medeu ECO Park concept was also presented. It aims to upgrade one of Almaty’s top landmarks into a modern landscape park for families and active visitors, with infrastructure to accommodate rising tourist numbers.

Additional projects include the Gorilnik visitor center, the Jumbaq Jol hiking trail, and the construction of a suspension bridge with a capacity of 10,000 people per day and a load limit of 20 tons, to be completed by July this year. Plans also include a student sports club, a transfer bus hub, guesthouses (ECO Resort), and a hotel under the investment project.

#The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan #Infrastructural development #Tourism

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