Kazakh tourism industry gains momentum

About three million foreign tourists may visit Kazakhstan by 2025. The Kazakh Tourism Industry Committee notes that in order to achieve these figures, it is planned to stimulate the influx of tourists through organizing more international events. For example, this year Astana hosted the world-famous IRONMAN triathlon competition. It attracted over 2,000 participants from 40 countries. According to experts, the competition brought about one billion tenge to the budget of the country. In addition, it is proposed to increase the number of visa-free countries to enter Kazakhstan to 100. As regards domestic tourism, it also shows the positive dynamics. In the first half of 2022 alone, the number of Kazakh residents traveling across the country exceeded 3.5 million. This is 50 percent more compared to last year's rate. A number of benefits have also been provided for the development of domestic tourism. Apart from the already launched Kids Go Free program, domestic travelers will be refunded part of the cost of the vacation package. This option will be available to those tourists who will go on holiday off tourist season.