Kazakhstan to Enhance Tourism with Increased Flights and Subsidized Routes
Kazakhstan to Subsidize 20 Routes, Including 9 Tourist Destinations, to Boost Tourism Sector
Astana – The Kazakh government has announced plans to subsidize more than 20 routes, including nine popular tourist destinations, with a budget of 6.4 billion tenge (US$13.2 million) allocated for next year. This initiative aims to promote tourism and enhance the attractiveness of local sites across the country.
A recent meeting hosted by the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs on Oct. 7 discussed measures to further develop Kazakhstan’s tourism sector. Among the plans for next year are five subsidized flights to Turkistan, along with additional commercial flights operated by FlyArystan. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has already initiated preparatory work for the construction of three new airports in different regions of Kazakhstan, in addition to the modernization of eight existing airports.
Furthermore, the Civil Aviation Committee revealed that the government is exploring ways to increase flights to Aktau, the regional center of Mangistau, from other regional hubs. This year alone, the number of weekly flights to Aktau has increased from 115 to 137, indicating a positive trend in air travel.
During the meeting, stakeholders addressed the challenges faced during the previous tourist season at the Balkhash and Urzhar resorts, citing high airfares as a deterrent for tourists. Deputy Chairman of the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, Timur Nakhipbekov, highlighted the importance of prioritizing transport accessibility to resort areas and emphasized the significance of subsidizing flights as a key measure of state support for the tourism sector.
According to the Ministry of Transport, passenger traffic has shown a remarkable recovery of more than 50% this year compared to the pre-pandemic period, with air carriers transporting 9.3 million passengers in just eight months. These developments indicate a promising outlook for the tourism industry in Kazakhstan, with efforts being made to improve connectivity and promote travel to diverse destinations within the country.
