The United Nations World Tourism
Organization (UNWTO) recognized the Saty village in the Kolsai lakes national
park of the Almaty region as the Best Tourism Village 2023. The UNWTO launched
this initiative back in 2021, aiming to promote tourism as a catalyst for rural
area development and well-being.
“To date, the village stands out
as a leader in providing accommodations through the constant involvement of
local residents. Over the past five years, the village has witnessed the
construction of convenient trails and pathways. To share Saty’s successful
experience within Kazakhstan, information tours were organized for Kazakh tour
operators and guesthouse owners from other regions, along with educational
training and seminars. As of 2023, 90 guesthouses and 30 hotels operate in
Saty, a twofold increase from 2019,” said Yernur Kenzhebekov, Press Secretary
of Kazakh Tourism National Company.
This is not the village’s first international
award. In 2020, Saty was honored as the best community-based tourism
destination by the renowned Lonely Planet travel guidebook.
