Kazakhstan Prime Minister Discusses Ski Tourism Growth with Global Industry Leader
Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov Explores Cooperation with PGI Management to Develop Ski Tourism in Kazakhstan
ASTANA – Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov recently met with PGI Management President Joan Viladomat on April 19 to discuss potential collaboration to enhance ski tourism in Kazakhstan, particularly focusing on the Almaty cluster.
During the meeting, the two officials delved into global tourism trends and the pivotal role of the industry in driving national economic growth. Emphasizing ski tourism as a catalyst for the socio-economic advancement of mountainous regions and the overall economy, the Prime Minister’s press office reported on the discussions.
Bektenov and Viladomat explored strategies to elevate the Almaty mountain cluster, which currently attracts around two million visitors annually and sustains 2,000 seasonal jobs, into a world-class, year-round tourism destination.
The cluster’s existing infrastructure boasts 41 kilometers of ski runs and 16 lifts, accommodating up to 6,000 visitors daily. However, the escalating demand from both domestic and international tourists is outstripping the cluster’s capacities, necessitating an updated national strategy for mountain tourism development.
Plans include expanding the infrastructure to incorporate 227 kilometers of ski trails and 58 lifts, which would enhance the cluster’s daily capacity by 5.6 times to accommodate up to 34,000 individuals. These enhancements are anticipated to create 10,000 direct jobs and enable the Almaty mountain cluster to welcome up to 7.5 million tourists annually by 2029, with a cascading effect on the broader service and allied industries.
Bektenov underscored that these initiatives align with the government’s efforts to diversify the economy, recognizing the tourism sector’s potential to emerge as a key driver of economic growth alongside sectors like manufacturing, digitalization, transport, and logistics.
PGI Management, with a portfolio of over 120 projects globally, has successfully executed projects in renowned ski destinations such as Davos and St. Moritz in Switzerland, Courchevel in France, Ischgl and the Tyrol region in Austria, Vail and Aspen in the United States, Whistler-Blackcomb in Canada, and resorts in Andorra. Notably, Andorra, a country with a modest population of 80,000, welcomed 9.6 million visitors to its resorts last year.
In an interview with The Astana Times, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sports Yerzhan Yerkinbayev identified the development of the mountain cluster in Almaty as a priority for 2025, highlighting the government’s dedication to advancing the tourism industry and positioning it as a key economic growth driver.
