UN Tourism and Almaty Tourism Bureau Partner to Empower Women, Drive Sustainable Tourism, and Promote New Cultural Exchange in Kazakhstan

Written By: Gishan Das

Gishan Das

Gishan Das is a dedicated graduate with academic backgrounds in History and Political Science and practical experience in journalism and digital content creation. He completed his History Honours from Serampore College under the University of Calcutta and Political Science Honours from Indira Gandhi National Open University in 2025. His academic credentials are supported by professional certifications including a B2 level Certification in French language, NISM Financial Education certification in collaboration with the Aditya Birla Group alongside Gishan has strong expertise in journalism, news research and SEO-based content writing. He has demonstrated skills in news analysis, fact-checking, headline creation, digital storytelling and search-optimized reporting, which are also reflected in the journalism and media skills

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October 2, 2025 1:15 PM

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In a historic partnership, UN Tourism and the Almaty Tourism Bureau have joined forces to empower Kazakh women working in tourism. The programme, which forms part of the Centre Stage initiative, is designed to equip women with the skills, assistance, and confidence to succeed in the tourism sector. This partnership is a strategic move to enhance gender equality, entrepreneurship, and women’s leadership in tourism and tourism-related careers in Kazakhstan.

Centre Stage Initiative: A Global Framework for Women’s Empowerment

The Centre Stage initiative, launched by UN Tourism, focuses on transforming tourism by empowering women and enabling them to play a central role in sustainable tourism. This program provides training, funding opportunities, and mentorship for women in the tourism sector, with a focus on leadership development, career progression, and entrepreneurship.

By empowering women and integrating them into the decision-making process in tourism, UN Tourism aims to create a more inclusive and balanced tourism industry. The Almaty Tourism Bureau’s involvement ensures that these goals are tailored to the unique needs of Kazakhstan and the broader Central Asia region.

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in the Tourism Sector

One of the key goals of the Centre Stage initiative in Almaty is to empower women entrepreneurs in tourism. Women in Kazakhstan have a significant presence in the tourism workforce, yet they still face challenges such as limited access to capital, training, and leadership roles. Through targeted entrepreneurship support, the initiative aims to provide women with the resources to launch successful tourism businesses that highlight Kazakhstan’s unique culture, natural beauty, and local traditions.

Programs that offer funding, business mentorship, and networking opportunities will help women overcome these challenges, enabling them to take their businesses to the next level. By supporting women-led businesses, Kazakhstan’s tourism sector will grow in a way that’s inclusive and economically sustainable.

Strengthening Women’s Leadership in Tourism: A Key Focus

In addition to entrepreneurship, the Centre Stage program also aims to address the gender gap in leadership roles in the tourism industry. While women represent a large portion of the tourism workforce in Kazakhstan, they are underrepresented in leadership positions. To address this, the initiative provides leadership training, mentorship, and advocacy to help women rise to senior roles in tourism organizations and government bodies.

By increasing women’s participation in leadership roles, Kazakhstan can build a more equitable tourism sector that fosters innovation, inclusive growth, and cultural diversity. The program aims to break down barriers that prevent women from reaching their full potential and create a more balanced and dynamic tourism industry.

Cultural Tourism: Connecting Women to Kazakhstan’s Rich Heritage

The partnership between UN Tourism and the Almaty Tourism Bureau emphasizes the importance of cultural tourism in Kazakhstan. The country’s ethnic diversity, natural landscapes, and ancient traditions provide a rich foundation for tourism experiences that offer deep cultural immersion. Women in Kazakhstan have the opportunity to showcase their cultural heritage through artisanal crafts, cultural performances, and traditional cuisine, which are integral to the country’s tourism offerings.

This program supports women artisans and local communities by providing them with the tools to promote Kazakh culture to the world. Cultural tourism plays a vital role in preserving and sharing Kazakhstan’s history, and empowering women to lead these efforts will help diversify and sustain the tourism industry.

Sustainable Tourism Practices: Empowering Women to Protect Natural Resources

Sustainability is at the core of the Centre Stage initiative. As the tourism industry continues to grow, sustainable practices are essential to ensuring that Kazakhstan’s natural beauty and heritage sites remain protected for future generations. The collaboration aims to equip women in tourism with the skills to develop eco-friendly tourism projects that highlight sustainable travel and conservation efforts.

Through initiatives such as eco-tourism, wildlife protection, and environmental education, the program helps ensure that Kazakhstan’s tourism benefits local communities while preserving the environment. By involving women in the development of sustainable tourism, the initiative promotes environmental responsibility and community empowerment.

Workshops and Training Programs: Equipping Women for Success

The Centre Stage initiative includes a series of workshops, training programs, and seminars designed to build the capacity of tourism professionals in Kazakhstan, with a special focus on women. These programs aim to provide practical skills in areas such as hotel management, marketing, tour guiding, and event planning, ensuring that women are equipped to take on leadership roles in the tourism sector.

In October 2025, the Regional Conference on the Empowerment of Women in Tourism will be hosted as part of this initiative, gathering industry leaders and tourism professionals from across Europe and Central Asia to discuss gender equality, tourism sustainability, and leadership development.

Tourism Development Strategies: Expanding Kazakhstan’s Global Appeal

The UN Tourism collaboration with Kazakhstan focuses on a comprehensive tourism development strategy that incorporates cultural heritage, eco-tourism, community-based tourism, and digital solutions. These strategies will help Almaty and other cities in Kazakhstan develop as global tourism hubs, attracting international visitors while promoting the country’s unique cultural assets.

Marketing campaigns will highlight Kazakhstan’s tourism offerings, focusing on authentic experiences in nature, culture, and adventure tourism, while also emphasizing the importance of local community involvement in tourism development. This will allow Kazakhstan to stand out as a sustainable, culturally rich, and innovative tourism destination.

Strengthening Global Ties: Cultural Exchange and Tourism Growth

The Centre Stage program also facilitates cultural exchange between Kazakhstan and global tourism markets, particularly with Southeast Asia and Europe. Through bilateral tourism partnerships, Kazakhstan can attract tourists who are interested in exploring new destinations and cultural experiences. At the same time, these partnerships offer Kazakh women in tourism the chance to engage in international exchanges and business collaborations, building a more globally connected tourism sector.

Empowering Women in Kazakhstan’s Tourism Industry for a Sustainable Future

The partnership between UN Tourism and the Almaty Tourism Bureau is an important step toward empowering women in Kazakhstan’s tourism sector. By emphasizing leadership development, entrepreneurship, and sustainability, the program is paving the way for long-term growth and success. As Kazakhstan’s tourism industry grows further, empowering women will be essential to help ensure an inclusive, balanced, and innovative future for the country’s tourism sector. By doing so, Kazakhstan not only enhances its international tourism reputation but also makes women the focal points in determining the future of tourism and sustainable development.