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Tengrinews.kz - Vice Minister of Tourism and Sports Yerzhan Yerkinbayev has addressed a popular question among Kazakhstani citizens: why is it often cheaper to vacation in Dubai than at local resorts like Burabay?
During a government briefing, journalists pointed out the steep cost of domestic travel, asking why many people cannot afford a holiday in Burabay.
"Kyrgyz citizens go to Issyk-Kul for the summer, supporting their local tourism sector. In February this year, five days in a Burabay hotel cost 350,000 tenge. Meanwhile, a trip to Dubai was priced at 135,000 tenge per person, with flights costing 270,000 tenge," reporters said.
According to Yerkinbayev, the main reason for the price gap is the lack of competition in Kazakhstan's domestic tourism market.
"It's a frequently asked question – why is it sometimes more expensive to vacation within Kazakhstan than to travel abroad? And the level of service often doesn’t meet international standards. Until we have real competition, the limited number of hotels with high seasonal demand will continue to overcharge and neglect service quality because they know customers will come anyway," the Vice Minister explained.
He noted that without a wider selection of tourism options, the few popular resorts will remain both costly and overcrowded.
"We need a competitive environment. As long as Shymbulak is the only one of its kind, a ski pass will cost 15,000 tenge. As long as there’s only one Rixos on the warm beach in Mangystau, it will always be expensive and fully booked. The same goes for Rixos in Burabay. We need more hotels. Soft loan programs are one solution – they would help increase the number and variety of hotels, including simpler, more affordable options with better service. If a hotel can’t keep up with service expectations, people will choose another. That’s our goal," Yerkinbayev said.
He also emphasized the need to develop more accessible and family-friendly accommodations.
"We need to shift the focus and build simple, affordable facilities for the general public. That’s why we’re prioritizing projects like basic resorts and comfortable three-star hotels for average families. Luxury five-star hotels are welcome, but they should be built by businesses that are confident in that segment," he concluded.
Earlier, Yerzhan Yerkinbayev also answered a question about plans to build a Disneyland in Astana.
