Kazakhstan to develop adventure tourism in western regions

Kazakhstan wants to develop adventure tourism in its western regions, Tengrinews.kz reports citing chairman of Kazakhstan Institute of Industry Development Azamat Akhmerov. “West Kazakhstan. We plan to develop beach and adventure tourism here with the main center in Kenderli beach resort,” Akhmerov said at the meeting of tourism council presenting the concept for development of tourism in Kazakhstan to be implemented until 2020. According to the document, tourism in Kazakhstan will be divided into several clusters by regions. Astana will become the center of the first cluster that will also include Borovoye resort area, Korgaldzhin, Karkaraly, Kokshetau and Bayanaul. City, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) and nature tourism will be its major tourist product. Akhmerov said that creation of new modern resort areas are considered at the territory of Katon-Karagai, Bukhtarma and Western Altai mountains in East-Kazakhstan oblast. Meanwhile, city tourism and ski resorts will be developed in Almaty. “South Kazakhstan cluster is the cluster of cultural tourism. We call it the “Heart of the Silk Way”. The tourism there will be mostly based on tours to interesting cultural sights,” he said. “The concept is currently with the Presidential Administration and its approval by the President is expected. The concept has clear targets with the higher goal of making Kazakhstan one of the globally recognized tourist destination by 2020. According to forecasts, we will be among top 50 or 60 countries by tourism volume by then,” Akhmerov stressed. By Altynai Zhumzhumina