In 2023, the domestic tourist flow to the East
Kazakhstan region grew by 2.7 percent to more than 350,000 tourists. According
to the country’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the increase in the number of
foreign tourists was facilitated by the establishment of a visa-free regime
between Kazakhstan and China. The beaches of the Bukhtarma Reservoir and the
Sibinsky Lakes, pantotherapy in the Katon-Karagai district, historical sites,
as well as ski tourism in the Glubokovsky district and the city of Ridder are
popular among visitors. The region is also developing sanatorium-resort, winter
and rural tourism. Overall, 12 billion tenge were invested in the construction
of new facilities and the development of the industry in the region last year.
«The region’s policy is focusing on developing
the Best Tourism community. This involves engaging residents of villages
and rural areas in tourism and promoting guesthouse development. As a result,
East Kazakhstan has been recognized in top positions of global rankings this
year. For instance, it entered the top three regions in the Green Destinations
Top 100 Story Awards at ITB Berlin. Additionally, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
recognized East Kazakhstan as one of the 200 global destinations with high
ecological potential,» said Yerzhan Yerkinbayev, Kazakh Vice Minister of
Tourism and Sports.
