The New York Times has included
Almaty in the list of the best travel destinations. The reputable newspaper
published the traditional ranking of ‘52 Places to Go in 2024’, with Almaty
taking the 25th position. According to the magazine, the Kazakh metropolis is
the country's most populous city, with two million people residing there. It is
described as a peaceful and vibrant place that holds the status of a cultural
hub due to its gastronomic diversity. It bears noting that Almaty is the only
city in the region that entered the ranking. Previously, Kazakhstan was added
to this list in anticipation of the EXPO 2017 International Exhibition. The Kazakh
Ministry of Tourism and Sport emphasizes that this certainly indicates a
growing interest in the country, which is evidenced by the numbers as well. Thus,
over 835,000 tourist arrivals were recorded in the first nine months of 2023,
representing an almost 40 percent increase compared to the same period in 2022.
It is noteworthy that visitors from Russia, China, Turkey, India, and the U.S.
most frequently choose Kazakhstan as a travel destination.