In an interview with Turkistan magazine, the President of Kazakhstan noted that after his remarks to the government, work on developing tourism had intensified, but there was still a long and thorny road ahead.
“This is a complex field that combines economics, culture, security, and business. It requires professionals who are dedicated to their work and, most importantly, patriots of Kazakhstan. Tourism is incompatible with laziness, indifference, greed, and rudeness,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
Last year, millions of foreign citizens visited Kazakhstan, and domestic tourism also began to develop more actively. All this is cause for celebration, the head of state noted.
"The whole world is competing for tourist flows and creating conditions to attract private investors. Our country has many beautiful places. Ecotourism is now in high demand. It would seem that Kazakhstan has no equal in this regard, but for subjective reasons – from incompetence to indifference on the part of those responsible – this promising type of tourism has not yet received mass development. It doesn't go beyond presentations," the president stressed.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev believes that some “eco-activists” are harming tourism by launching protest campaigns against all projects under the pretext of protecting nature reserves. Many of them care little about nature itself; they need publicity, or, as they say now, “hype,” to gain public recognition. Sometimes they are supported by entrepreneurs who have already entered this business and do not want competition.
"The situation is similar in ski tourism. Few places in the world can compare to Shymbulak, which is located 30 minutes from the center of Almaty and has a unique natural landscape. But prolonged inaction has led to stagnation, and the resort has become physically and morally obsolete. A new vision for the development of this precious gift of nature is needed. A Kazakhstani development company is taking on the task. The government and the akimat are supporting it, but the project is still in the preparatory and presentation stage. Meanwhile, in neighboring countries, the construction of ski infrastructure has already gained momentum," the head of state noted.
According to the head of state, there is an acute shortage of qualified personnel in this industry. Therefore, the International University of Tourism and Hospitality was established in Turkestan. Its first graduates entered the market in 2024.
According to CNN Travel, Almaty has been named the “new style capital” of Central Asia in 2025. He instructed the mayor to turn Almaty into a city that, like New York, Moscow, and Paris, “never sleeps” and works around the clock in the interests of its guests. There is still a lot to be done, including infrastructure, landscaping, and lighting," the president said.
