Kazakhstan Enjoys Almaty And Astana Tourism Boom: Nearly Six Hundred Million USD Investment in Domestic Travel and Medical Tourism, Here’s What You Need To Know

Published on July 9, 2025

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Kazakhstan’s travel industry has witnessed a resurgent comeback in 2025, when investments have touched more than $570 million in five months. Amid a fluctuating world situation that suffered disruptions in Europe, in the Middle East, and in Russia’s aviation transport sector, Kazakhstan is capitalizing full potential to emerge a major regional and global player in travel.

With a focus on enhancing domestic tourism, boosting local flight routes, and developing infrastructure, Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a thriving tourism hub in Central Asia. This investment surge is not only creating new opportunities for local tourists but is also paving the way for international visitors who seek an alternative to the increasingly complicated global travel environment.

The Rise of Domestic Tourism in Kazakhstan

In 2024, Kazakhstan saw a notable shift in tourism trends, with domestic tourist numbers exceeding 10.5 million, while outbound tourism reached 15.6 million. Experts attribute this growing interest in domestic travel to the increased availability of local flights and the revaluation of well-known local destinations.

As international travel has become more challenging due to flight delays, cancellations, and airspace restrictions, Kazakhstan’s domestic tourism sector is seeing a resurgence. The country’s investment in expanding domestic routes and subsidizing flights on socially significant routes is contributing to this growth. In 2025, Kazakhstan allocated 6.4 billion tenge (roughly $12.3 million) to support air travel on 23-24 key routes, including popular tourist destinations such as Astana-Turkistan, Almaty-Turkistan, and flights to the scenic Alakol region, where SCAT Airlines now operates seven flights a week.

With these efforts, domestic tourism is expected to continue thriving, providing a much-needed boost to the local economy, and offering residents an array of travel options within their own country.

Investment in Infrastructure and New Tourist Attractions

Along with its focus on expanding air travel, Kazakhstan is also investing heavily in the infrastructure necessary to accommodate growing tourist demand. The government is constructing multifunctional complexes along highways, building more sanitary facilities, and developing new airports in cities like Kentau, Burabai, Zaisan, and Kokshetau.

A key destination drawing increased attention is Baikonur, the world’s first and largest spaceport. The cosmodrome has now entered Kazakhstan’s top 20 tourist destinations, attracting visitors with its space-themed attractions and rich history. Kazakhstan has also opened a yurt observation platform at Baikonur and is offering guided tours to sites like Gagarin’s Start and the Korolev Museum, which now fall under Kazakhstan’s jurisdiction.

The Baikonur cosmodrome, already known to space enthusiasts, has now gained more widespread appeal. It has become an iconic site not only for those interested in space exploration but also for cultural and historical tourism, offering a unique blend of science and heritage.

Expanding Partnerships with International Hotel Brands

To complement its investments in infrastructure and transport, Kazakhstan is focusing on expanding its hotel and accommodation options to support the growing influx of tourists. The country is partnering with international hotel chains from Thailand, Türkiye, China, Russia, and Gulf countries, with major investments concentrated in cities such as Almaty, Astana, Mangystau, East Kazakhstan, and the Shchuchinsk-Burabai resort area.

While these international partnerships are essential for raising Kazakhstan’s profile in the global tourism market, it is worth noting that 90% of the supported projects are being led by Kazakh investors. This local involvement underscores Kazakhstan’s commitment to developing its tourism sector with homegrown expertise while integrating global standards for a world-class travel experience.

The introduction of high-quality international hotel brands is helping to address the country’s accommodation shortages, but challenges remain. Kazakhstan’s tourism industry still faces discrepancies between service levels and hotel star ratings, and a shortage of well-maintained accommodations, good roads, restrooms, and cafes is limiting the overall tourist experience.

In response, Kazakhstan is taking steps to update its tourism legislation and hotel classification system to ensure better compliance with international standards. The government is also working on improving the infrastructure in rural and less-developed areas to bring them up to par with international expectations.

Growing Medical Tourism in Kazakhstan

One of the unique niches in Kazakhstan’s burgeoning tourism sector is medical tourism. The country is quickly becoming a destination for international patients seeking affordable, high-quality medical care. Nine Kazakh clinics have earned international JCI (Joint Commission International) accreditation, attracting patients from Europe and the CIS region for medical treatments ranging from general healthcare to specialized services.

Kazakhstan’s medical tourism sector has benefited from the country’s robust healthcare system, which offers high-quality services at a fraction of the cost of similar treatments in Western countries. With government-backed investments and a commitment to enhancing healthcare infrastructure, Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a regional leader in medical tourism.

As the global demand for affordable healthcare rises, Kazakhstan’s medical tourism sector is expected to continue growing, bringing in foreign visitors while boosting the country’s healthcare and tourism industries.

Key Challenges and Ongoing Developments

Despite the promising growth, Kazakhstan’s tourism sector still faces a few challenges that need to be addressed for it to fully capitalize on its potential. These challenges include mismatched service levels, underdeveloped infrastructure, and a need for more professional training within the hospitality industry. However, the government is committed to ongoing development and improvements, and these challenges are being actively addressed through updated legislation, international collaborations, and investments in local talent.

The government is also focused on expanding Kazakhstan’s tourism offerings beyond traditional attractions by focusing on niche markets such as medical tourism, cultural experiences, and eco-tourism. As Kazakhstan continues to invest in these sectors, the country is poised to become one of Central Asia’s most sought-after tourist destinations.

Conclusion: Kazakhstan’s Bright Tourism Future

Kazakhstan’s tourism sector is entering a new era of growth and opportunity, driven by significant investments in infrastructure, domestic air travel, international partnerships, and niche markets like medical tourism. With a focus on both local and international tourists, Kazakhstan is setting itself up as a competitive player in the regional and global tourism markets.

As the country continues to develop out its travel infrastructure and attract international attention, there is little question that Kazakhstan is on its way to becoming one of the premier travel spots throughout all of Central Asia. Offering rich history, scenic landscapes, and travel options, there is much that Kazakhstan has to offer visitors who are touring throughout the world.