Kazakhstan plans to raise the country's tourism share up to 8 percent of GDP by 2025. This was announced by First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Askar Mamin at the international conference "Tourism and Future Energy: Unlocking Low Carbon Growth Opportunities" in the Congress Center of Expo-2017.
"We have rich nature and resources. The rich Kazakh history and nature have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. An important infrastructure network has been created across the ancient Silk Road, contributing to the growing number of tourists. We plan to increase the share of tourism in the country to 8 percent of GDP by 2025. Currently, this share is 1 percent," Mamin said.
The Deputy Prime Minister noted that this conference should become a platform for constructive discussions so that to find innovative solutions in the tourism industry.
In addition, Mr. Mamin said Kazakhstan intends to continue cooperation with UNWTO, the United Nations World Tourism Organization, as Kazakhstan needs its experience and support, advanced standards of the tourism industry for making the country one of the top tourist destinations.
The Minister of Culture and Sports, Arystanbek Mukhamediuly is confident that with growth of demand for recreation in Kazakhstan, prices will be significantly lower. He stated this at a press conference in Astana, held in the framework of the World Conference "Tourism and Future Energy : Unlocking Low-Carbon Growth Opportunities", Kazpravda.kz reports.
"True, now it's cheaper to go to Turkey or the Emirates than to Alakol, or to other recreation areas. Of course, we all resent the high prices, but when there is an alternative and more offers, the cost will drop. While we have a limited resource, the owners will keep a high cost. We are working at it and want to adopt the concept for tourism development in Kazakhstan until 2025, "said Arystanbek Mukhamediuly.
According to the minister, the concept for tourism development in the coming will be soon submitted for consideration to Parliament. Together with the MPs and UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai, the Ministry plans to discuss development of ecological, rural and automobile tourism.
Arystanbek Muhamediuly also named the main tourist destinations in Kazakhstan, for example, in East Kazakhstan - the Pearl of Altai, in the west - the Caspian Gate, where both beach and historical tourism will be developed, and many other kinds.
Reported by the Kazakhstanskaya Pravda, Kazinform.
