Kazakhstan’s tourism ambition is nothing short of transformative: by 2029, the country aims to welcome 15 million annual visitors and boost tourism revenue to €10 billion.
Behind this bold vision lies a multifaceted strategy: digital innovation, space tourism, visa reform, infrastructure expansion, and global partnerships. Here’s what travel professionals need to know, and what it means for destination designers and DMCs.
Record Growth in the First Half of 2025
By mid-2025, Kazakhstan had already welcomed 7.5 million foreign visitors, up by 600,000 from the same period in 2024. About 90% came from CIS countries: Uzbekistan (2.8m), Kyrgyzstan (1.7m), and Russia (1.5m).
Last year, the total registered foreign arrivals surpassed 15.3 million, with international tourism spending at around $2.7 billion.
This rapid growth isn’t accidental, it’s fuelled by deliberate investment: roughly $570 million poured into tourism in just five months in early 2025.
Strategic Infrastructure & Connectivity
Kazakhstan is boosting access by investing in new international airports in Almaty, Astana, and Kyzylorda, and through expanded rail corridors offering border pre-clearance for smoother overland travel.
Rail expansion also supports cross-border travel to Central Asia, part of a plan to position Kazakhstan as a key transit node between Europe and Asia.⁷ These improvements help extend itineraries beyond cities and into natural wonders like Katon Karagay National Park, now accessible via upgraded regional air travel.
Astro-Tourism & Baikonur Glamping
Unique tourism investments are helping Kazakhstan stand out.
The iconic Baikonur Cosmodrome, used by Russia and celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2025, is being redeveloped as a science and space tourism hub. Plans include inter-launch integrations, educational experiences, museum spaces, and glamping accommodations in repurposed launch sites.
The new vision aims to transform Baikonur into a destination that is part tech museum, part immersive experience, appealing to adventure seekers and educational groups.
Digital Innovation: Visa-Free Access & Super App
Over 54 countries, including EU members, the US, Australia, and Vietnam, enjoy entry to Kazakhstan without a visa, via e-Visa or visa-free schemes. This broad access supports both leisure and medical tourism.
Complementing that is the imminent launch of an AI-powered “super app” by Kazakh Tourism. The app will consolidate bookings, navigation, payment, translation, and itinerary planning into one platform.
This tool appeals to digitally savvy travelers seeking fast, seamless experiences.
Global Partnerships Fuel Growth
Kazakh Tourism is collaborating with national players from Thailand, Türkiye, China, Russia, and others to attract hospitality investment. These partnerships support the expansion of global hotel chains into Almaty, Astana, and Mangystau, elevating product standards and lodging diversity.
Local legislation is also evolving, with hospitality classification regulations aligned to international norms, ensuring consistency and reliability across the new facilities.
Why It Matters to Travel Designers & DMCs
1. Destination Differentiation
Space tourism, glamping at historic launch sites, and high-altitude frontier landscapes offer rare selling points. These create narrative-rich travel content that tours and DMCs can package and promote.
2. Seasonal Diversification
Kazakhstan spans diverse environments—from desert dunes to alpine valleys. Designing itineraries that combine urban heritage in Astana with eco retreats like Katon Karagay helps mitigate seasonality and encourage longer stays.
3. Regional Hub as Access Point
Improved cross-border rail opens corridors to Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan. Travel designers can leverage Kazakhstan as a central hub for multi-destination Silk Road circuits.
4. Digital-First Experience
The upcoming super app means agents and DMCs can integrate directly into Kazakhstan’s ecosystem. Early API integrations or partnerships will offer multi-touchpoint visibility through official planning tools.
A scenic view of the Big Almaty Lake with Tianshan Mountains in Kazakhstan near the city of Almaty
Case Study: Silk Rail Tourism Route
In late 2024, a luxury train service—dubbed the Jibek Joly Tourist Train, launched cross-border itineraries between Almaty and Tashkent, stopping in Turkistan.¹¹ The initiative included visiting UNESCO sites and local markets in Kazakhstan and neighboring nations.
Stations were upgraded, guides trained in multi-lingual storytelling, and experiences, like yurt lodging and local music performances—were packaged into curated long-haul journeys. This model showcases cross-sector tourism infrastructure in action.
Sustainability & Capacity Management
Under a new tourism development law passed in early 2025, Kazakhstan introduced licensing systems, zoning regulations, and community engagement programs to avoid unmanaged growth.
Many parts of the country remain ecology-sensitive. The tourism plan is anchored in a green economy framework in partnership with the EU and UNDP, supporting sustainable consumer practices and climate-conscious pathways.
Final Thoughts
Kazakhstan is no longer just a frontier on the map, it’s a deliberately built destination with vision, narrative, and infrastructure to match.
By 2029, the goal is not just numbers, but meaningful experiences: €10 billion in tourism revenue, 15 million visitors, and an offering anchored in digital ease, unique heritage, and bold storytelling.
For DMCs and travel designers, Kazakhstan offers a canvas to build cross-border itineraries, astro-tourism products, and AI-enabled travel pathways. The country’s infrastructural shift, visa reforms, and destination diversification now demand attention, and action.
As Kazakhstan climbs the WEF Tourism Development Index, it’s time to move beyond assumption and into strategic inclusion. Space tourism, natural parks, Silk Road networks—they are no longer “nice-to-haves,” they are essential tools for forward-thinking travel brands.
