Foreign Tourists Boost Kazakh Economy with $800 Million in 2023
Tourists from China, India, Germany, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) contributed significantly to Kazakhstan’s tourism industry last year, with a combined spending of over $800 million. This information was reported by Kazinform on July 29.
The National Bank of Kazakhstan revealed that on average, each international tourist leaves nearly $1,500 in the country. Among the countries that showed a significant increase in tourist arrivals to Kazakhstan is China. In 2023, the number of Chinese tourists visiting the country reached 367,400, a remarkable growth compared to the 17,700 visitors in 2022. This surge in Chinese tourists can be attributed to the visa-free regime between the two countries, with 44 flights operating on the Kazakhstan-China route every week.
Additionally, Kazakhstan welcomed around 78,000 tourists from India, 85,000 from Germany, 36,600 from South Korea, and 10,500 from the UAE. The country also saw a high number of visitors from neighboring countries, with 3.6 million tourists from Uzbekistan, 2 million from Russia, 1.6 million from the Kyrgyz Republic, and 700,000 from Tajikistan. Most of these guests preferred traveling by private cars and buses, accounting for 84.4% of arrivals, followed by 10.6% via plane and only 5% by train.
Overall, Kazakhstan received a total of approximately 9.2 million tourists in 2023, indicating the country’s growing appeal as a tourist destination. With diverse attractions and improved connectivity, Kazakhstan continues to attract visitors from around the world, further boosting its tourism sector and economy.
