Kazakhstan’s Astana Leaves Central Asia Behind as Russian, Chinese and UAE Travellers Fuel a Record-Breaking Tourism Investment Frenzy

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July 2, 2026 6:41 PM

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Astana tourism, Kazakhstan tourism, tourism investment, Swissôtel, Holiday Inn, Wyndham Garden, and international tourism are driving a remarkable transformation in Kazakhstan’s capital as record-breaking investment and rapidly rising visitor numbers reshape the city’s hospitality landscape. With tourism-related investment surging during the first five months of 2026 and dozens of new hospitality projects already underway, Astana is positioning itself as one of Central Asia’s fastest-growing urban tourism destinations.

The continued expansion of Astana’s tourism sector is being supported by substantial public and private investment, stronger international promotion, improved visitor services and ambitious infrastructure development. According to officials, the city is experiencing sustained momentum as foreign arrivals continue increasing, new hotels prepare to enter the market and large-scale tourism projects advance across multiple sectors.

Tourism Investment Accelerates at an Unprecedented Pace

Kazakhstan’s capital has continued demonstrating impressive momentum as tourism investment reaches new milestones.

Speaking during a briefing held on July 1 at the Central Communications Service, Maksat Zhanabayev, Deputy Head of Astana’s Investment and Entrepreneurship Development Department, highlighted the rapid acceleration taking place throughout the tourism economy.

During the first five months of 2026, tourism-related investment reached 250 billion tenge, equivalent to approximately US$480 million.

Compared with the same period of the previous year, investment nearly doubled, reflecting growing confidence in Astana’s tourism industry.

The figures also illustrate a consistent upward trajectory that has continued over several years.

Tourism investment stood at 112 billion tenge in 2022 before increasing to 201.4 billion tenge in 2023.

Further growth was recorded in 2024, when investment climbed to 272.7 billion tenge, demonstrating sustained expansion across the hospitality and tourism sectors.

Visitor Numbers Continue Rising

Alongside increasing investment, visitor arrivals have continued expanding steadily.

Official data showed that Astana welcomed approximately 1.6 million visitors during 2025.

More than 380,000 of these travellers arrived from international markets, highlighting the city’s growing global appeal.

Growth has continued into 2026.

During the first quarter alone, 352,200 visitors were recorded, representing a 12 percent increase compared with the corresponding period of the previous year.

Among these visitors, 67,900 were international tourists.

The rising numbers indicate that Astana is attracting increasing attention from both domestic and overseas travellers seeking new urban experiences in Central Asia.

International Markets Drive Growth

Foreign tourism continues to diversify across several important international markets.

According to the information presented during the briefing, the highest numbers of international visitors originated from Russia, China, Türkiye, Germany and the United States.

Meanwhile, particularly rapid growth has been observed among visitors arriving from Uzbekistan, China and the United Arab Emirates.

This expanding geographical diversity strengthens Astana’s international tourism profile while reducing dependence upon individual source markets.

The continued growth of Asian and Middle Eastern visitors also reflects broader regional travel trends as improved connectivity and greater international promotion expand awareness of Kazakhstan’s capital.

Major Hospitality Projects Move Forward

Significant investment projects continue supporting Astana’s long-term tourism ambitions.

According to Maksat Zhanabayev, thirty-three tourism investment projects with a combined value of 265.7 billion tenge are currently being implemented throughout the city.

These projects represent one of the largest hospitality development programmes currently underway within the region.

Over the next two to three years, twenty-four new hotels are planned for construction.

Several internationally recognised hospitality brands have already been identified as future operators.

These include Swissôtel, Holiday Inn and Wyndham Garden, all of which are expected to strengthen Astana’s premium accommodation offering while attracting greater numbers of international business and leisure travellers.

Eco-Tourism Gains Momentum

Alongside hotel expansion, attention is also being directed towards sustainable tourism development.

Eco-tourism has become an increasingly important component of Astana’s broader tourism strategy.

Among the flagship developments is the Les Eco Park project.

The initiative is being financed through private investment estimated at 25 billion tenge, equivalent to approximately US$48.1 million.

Growing interest in environmentally responsible tourism continues influencing destination planning worldwide.

By investing in eco-tourism infrastructure, Astana seeks to diversify visitor experiences while promoting sustainable recreational opportunities that complement the city’s urban attractions.

New Attractions Expand the Tourism Portfolio

Several additional projects are also scheduled for completion over the coming years.

These developments include a children’s camp, a modern exhibition centre, roadside service facilities and a recreation park featuring a swimming pool.

Together, these investments are expected to strengthen Astana’s visitor infrastructure while expanding tourism opportunities for families, domestic travellers and international visitors alike.

Diversifying attractions remains an important strategy for destinations seeking to encourage longer visitor stays while supporting year-round tourism demand.

The expanding range of recreational facilities reflects Astana’s broader ambition to become a comprehensive tourism destination rather than simply a gateway city.

International Promotion Expands Worldwide

Astana has also intensified efforts to strengthen its international visibility.

During 2026, the city participated in major tourism exhibitions held in Germany, China and South Korea.

Additional promotional roadshows were organised in Moscow together with several Russian border cities.

These international marketing initiatives were designed to increase awareness among travel professionals, investors and tourism partners.

According to officials, the promotional activities generated more than 400 negotiations with international partners.

These discussions subsequently resulted in multiple agreements and commercial contracts involving tourism industry representatives.

The growing level of international engagement demonstrates increasing confidence in Astana’s tourism potential.

Global Tourism Partnerships Continue Growing

Further progress has also been achieved through expanded international cooperation.

According to city officials, Astana joined three international tourism organisations during 2026.

Membership within these organisations is expected to create additional opportunities for global promotion while strengthening relationships with international tourism stakeholders.

Participation in recognised international tourism networks frequently enables destinations to exchange expertise, attract investment and increase global visibility.

Such partnerships also contribute towards positioning destinations within competitive international tourism markets.

Astana’s growing involvement reflects its long-term strategy of becoming a recognised destination on the global tourism map.

Visitor Services Receive Greater Attention

Investment is not being directed solely towards infrastructure.

Authorities have also prioritised improvements in tourism service quality.

Regular meetings continue being organised with hotels, restaurants and tourism businesses to strengthen hospitality standards across the city.

High-quality visitor services increasingly influence destination competitiveness, particularly as international travellers place greater emphasis on convenience, professionalism and personalised experiences.

The continued collaboration between city authorities and private tourism operators demonstrates a shared commitment to improving the overall visitor experience.

Information and Accessibility Continue Improving

Tourist information services have also been expanded.

Information centres currently operate at Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport together with a second location near the Baiterek Monument.

Visitors are able to receive travel guidance, destination information and practical assistance through these facilities.

At the same time, Astana continues developing inclusive tourism routes specifically designed for people with disabilities.

Improving accessibility has become an increasingly important aspect of modern tourism planning as destinations seek to ensure that travel experiences remain available to all visitors regardless of physical ability.

These initiatives further strengthen Astana’s reputation as an inclusive and welcoming destination.

Astana Builds a Strong Tourism Future

Astana’s latest tourism figures illustrate a city experiencing sustained momentum across investment, visitor arrivals, infrastructure development and international promotion.

The combination of record tourism investment, rising international visitor numbers, new luxury hotels, eco-tourism projects and expanded global partnerships demonstrates a coordinated strategy designed to strengthen the capital’s position within Central Asia’s tourism landscape.

As projects continue progressing over the next several years, city authorities expect shortages in tourism infrastructure to be reduced while overall destination competitiveness continues improving.

Supported by growing international recognition, strategic investment and ongoing service enhancements, Astana appears well positioned to welcome increasing numbers of domestic and international travellers while continuing its transformation into one of the region’s most dynamic tourism destinations.