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Tengrinews.kz – While Jennifer Lopez’s concert in Yerevan sparked controversy over reports that Armenia’s government spent more than $6 million to bring the pop diva, Kazakhstan’s authorities say no public funds were used for her performance in Astana — but the city still saw a major economic boost.
In response to Tengrinews.kz, the Kazakh government confirmed that no state budget money was allocated for Lopez’s concert. Astana’s city administration also stressed that municipal funds were not spent on the event.
“The concert was organized without using budgetary resources. The akimat ensured public order, fire safety, emergency medical assistance, and technical services,” the city authorities said.
For audience convenience, shuttle buses were arranged on the day of the concert to ease traffic congestion. Special routes connected five locations in the city with the Astana Arena stadium, returning passengers after the event.
According to the private company Astana Concert, which organized the show, the event attracted about 10,000 tourists from more than 30 countries. Visitors came from across the CIS (including Tajikistan, Russia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, and Uzbekistan), as well as from Europe and Asia.
The largest number of foreign guests came from Russia, Kyrgyzstan, the UAE, Lithuania, and the United States. Among domestic travelers, the top cities were Almaty, Shymkent, Atyrau, Aktau, and Karaganda.
Based on tourist numbers and Mastercard data showing that visitors to Astana typically stay three days and spend about $230 per day on accommodation, dining, taxis, and shopping, organizers estimate the concert’s economic effect at around 6.5 billion tenge.
This figure excludes spending on concert tickets, flights, and train travel. The average concert ticket cost about $200, while an airline ticket averaged $310.
Organizers expect tax revenues from the event to reach roughly 400 million tenge.
Lopez’s visit was announced back in April, triggering a rush for tickets that crashed the sales website just a minute before sales opened. Fans who secured tickets began lining up at the stadium five hours before the show.
The concert took place on the evening of August 1 at Astana Arena, drawing a capacity crowd and sparking widespread excitement among Kazakhstani fans. After the show, J.Lo’s team praised the Kazakh capital, calling it an impressive and beautiful city.
