The most popular tourist destinations in Kazakhstan revealed

Tengrinews.kz - The most popular tourist destinations in Kazakhstan have been named.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has released a ranking of the country’s most visited resort areas for the first nine months of 2024. During this period, Kazakhstan's tourist destinations welcomed 3.4 million travelers, with the total revenue from hotel services reaching 129 billion tenge.

Almaty mountain cluster

The absolute leader in the ranking was the Almaty Mountain Cluster, which set a record with 1,996,801 tourists over the nine-month period.

"The breathtaking mountain landscapes and pristine air make this region a top destination for nature and adventure lovers," the ministry noted.

Mangystau resort area

The Caspian Sea coast and the mysterious landscapes of Mangystau attracted 325,013 visitors. This region is famous for its unique landscapes, ancient underground mosques, and sandy beaches along the sea.

Shchuchinsk-Borovoe resort zone

Often referred to as the "Kazakh Switzerland," this well-known natural retreat welcomed 275,295 visitors. Notably, last year, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a meeting on tourism development and issued instructions regarding Burabay, emphasizing that the region’s natural, historical, and cultural landmarks are a national treasure.

Alakol resort area

The popular Lake Alakol saw 125,621 tourists in the Abai region and 113,059 in the Zhetisu region.

Balkhash resort area

Rounding out the top five is the area surrounding the unique Lake Balkhash, which attracted 120,948 tourists.

In December last year, Zhetisu region’s Akim, Beibit Isabayev, announced plans for developing engineering infrastructure along the lake’s shores. According to him, work on a 16-kilometer resort-recreational zone will begin in 2025.