Discover Kazakhstan: Top Five Must-Visit Regions Revealed in Foreign Arrival Surge
Tourism in Kazakhstan continues to grow as domestic and foreign tourist numbers increase. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the first nine months of 2023 saw a surge in domestic tourist numbers by 11%, totaling around 5.4 million individuals. Additionally, foreign tourist figures soared by over a third, reaching approximately 835,000.
Almaty has emerged as the top destination for international travelers, welcoming 409,394 visitors. The city is known for its ski resorts, picturesque landscapes, and pleasant climate, making it an attractive destination for tourists. The Shymbulak ski resort in Almaty was recommended by the Italian edition of Condé Nast as a must-visit destination worldwide, and The New York Times included Almaty among its top 52 places to visit in 2024.
Following Almaty, Astana ranked second, primarily attracting foreign guests for business tourism, with 220,000 visits recorded during the first nine months of 2023. The Mangistau Region secured the third spot, with Aktau witnessing the arrival of 34,435 foreign travelers during the same period.
The top five also included the Atyrau Region, attracting 24,431 foreign tourists, and Shymkent, which saw 20,837 foreign visitors. Nurtas Karipbayev, the Acting Chairman of the Tourism Industry Committee of the ministry, commented on Kazakhstan’s potential as a global tourist destination, highlighting the country’s traditional hospitality and visa-free entry for citizens from 81 countries, with plans to expand this to 100. International air routes now connect Kazakhstan with more than 28 countries across 120 routes. With these developments, Kazakhstan is well on its way to becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
