Kazakhstan, Almaty, Astana are entering a major new phase of tourism growth as more than $4 billion in investment flows into resorts, hotels, transport infrastructure and visitor experiences. Across the country, new tourism projects are expanding accommodation capacity, developing mountain destinations and creating more opportunities for international travellers to explore Central Asia.
Billions Fuel Kazakhstan’s Tourism Expansion
The investment push is supporting a broader tourism ecosystem across Kazakhstan, with projects spanning accommodation, recreation, transport and destination development. New and upgraded resorts are being developed alongside international hotel brands, creating additional options for travellers ranging from luxury visitors to adventure tourists.
The expansion is also strengthening destinations outside the country’s major cities, helping distribute tourism activity across mountain, nature and cultural attractions.
Almaty Leads the Mountain Tourism Experience
Almaty remains one of Kazakhstan’s key gateways for outdoor tourism, with the city providing access to mountains, ski resorts and natural landscapes. The surrounding Ile-Alatau region offers opportunities for hiking, skiing, snowboarding and other mountain activities.
Shymbulak, located near Almaty, is among the country’s best-known mountain destinations. Its proximity to the city makes it possible for visitors to combine urban sightseeing with a mountain excursion within the same trip.
Investment in resort infrastructure is supporting the development of year-round tourism, allowing destinations traditionally associated with winter sports to expand their summer visitor offerings.
Astana Adds Urban and Business Travel
Astana, Kazakhstan’s capital, provides a contrasting tourism experience centred on modern architecture, cultural attractions, events and business travel. The city’s expanding hospitality infrastructure is adding accommodation options for international visitors attending conferences, exhibitions and major events.
Astana also functions as an important starting point for travellers combining city experiences with journeys to other parts of Kazakhstan.
Nature Tourism Expands Across the Country
Kazakhstan’s vast geography provides significant opportunities for nature-based travel. Charyn Canyon, located in southeastern Kazakhstan, attracts visitors with its distinctive rock formations and canyon landscapes. Hiking, sightseeing and photography are among the experiences available in the area.
Burabay offers another nature-focused destination, combining forests, lakes and mountain scenery. Located north of Astana, the destination provides opportunities for hiking, boating, wellness stays and short breaks surrounded by nature.
These destinations add variety to Kazakhstan’s tourism offer and provide alternatives to conventional city-based travel.
Cultural Tourism Strengthens the Visitor Journey
Kazakhstan is also expanding opportunities for cultural and heritage tourism. Turkistan, one of the country’s major historical destinations, features religious and architectural landmarks connected with Kazakhstan’s cultural heritage.
The city’s tourism infrastructure supports visits to historic sites and cultural attractions, making it an important destination for travellers interested in Central Asian history and traditions.
International Hotels Expand Accommodation Choices
The arrival and expansion of international hospitality brands are adding new accommodation options across Kazakhstan. New hotels are supporting demand from leisure travellers, business visitors and international groups while increasing the range of premium accommodation available in major destinations.
The growth of the hotel sector is also linked to the development of resorts and tourism clusters, giving visitors more choices when planning longer stays.
Transport Improvements Support Travel
Improved transport connectivity is another part of Kazakhstan’s tourism expansion. Better links between major cities, resorts and regional attractions are helping travellers build multi-destination itineraries.
For international visitors, Almaty and Astana provide key entry points for exploring the country. Domestic air connections, road networks and tourism infrastructure allow journeys to continue from urban centres toward mountain, nature and cultural destinations.
Adventure Tourism Gains Ground
Kazakhstan’s mountains, canyons, lakes and wide-open landscapes create opportunities for adventure tourism throughout the year. Skiing and snowboarding are particularly important during winter, while hiking, trekking, camping and nature excursions support summer travel.
The development of new resorts and visitor facilities is expanding the infrastructure required to accommodate these activities and encourage longer stays.
A Larger Tourism Landscape
With more than $4 billion in tourism-related investment, Kazakhstan is expanding beyond traditional city tourism and developing a broader destination portfolio. Mountain resorts around Almaty, the modern attractions of Astana, the landscapes of Charyn Canyon, the lakes of Burabay and the heritage of Turkistan give travellers different reasons to visit.
As hotels, resorts, transport links and visitor facilities continue to develop, Kazakhstan is building a more connected tourism landscape across Central Asia, giving international travellers greater access to its cities, mountains, nature and cultural destinations.
