Exploring Kazakhstan: Tourism Trends Revealed at Beijing Expo
Event tourism in Kazakhstan’s capital city, Astana, has been on the rise in recent years, according to information shared by the country’s tour operators at the China Outbound Travel & Tourism Market (COTTM) and the Astana-Beijing 2024 Roadshow tourism exhibitions held in Beijing from Oct. 16-18.
Meiramgul Balgozhina, the general director of Empire Travel Qazaqstan tour operator company, highlighted the growing trend of event tourism within the context of Kazakhstan’s Tourism Year in China. This trend involves the planning of tours focused on conferences, exhibitions, and sporting events taking place in Kazakhstan. Balgozhina mentioned their involvement as the official tour operator of the 27th Asian Table Tennis Championships, where they welcomed over 300 Chinese tourists who are fans of the sport. Such sporting events have been attracting significant attention from Chinese tourists.
The event in Beijing brought together representatives from Kazakhstan’s tour operators, travel agencies, and hotels. The agenda included a roadshow and B2B meetings to facilitate discussions on potential collaborations and the promotion of Kazakhstan tourism in the Chinese market. As a result, seven cooperation agreements were signed between Kazakh and Chinese tourism businesses during the event.
Astana has been a host to various major events this year, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, the fifth World Nomad Games, the 27th Asian Table Tennis Championships, the Astana Think Tank Forum, and many others. These events have not only enriched the cultural and sporting landscape of the city but have also contributed to the growth of event tourism in Astana.
Overall, the increasing interest and participation from Chinese tourists in event tourism activities reflect a positive trend for Kazakhstan’s tourism industry, showcasing the country’s potential as a vibrant and attractive destination for international visitors.
