Kazakhstanis are increasingly traveling abroad: according to the Bureau of National Statistics, the number of outbound tourists from the country reached 10.5 million in 2023. A correspondent investigated which destinations are most popular, reports infohub.kz.
At the recent KITF 2024 international exhibition in Almaty, tourism industry experts and agency heads outlined Kazakhs' main preferences. According to Inna Rey, chairperson of the corporate fund "Turistik Qamqor," the top destinations remain the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Egypt. Travel to Vietnam and Thailand is growing, and Europe is becoming more accessible thanks to new flights to Prague and Milan. "We really hope European countries will simplify visa procedures," Rey noted. "The Kazakh tourist is a quality tourist; we love comfort, good hotels, and shopping. The visa-free regime with China has also played a huge role—now China offers not only Hainan but many other cities."
Why do Kazakhs prefer warm countries? Inna Rey explained: "There are direct flights, no visa required, and beach holidays are relaxing. Our climate is harsh, especially in the north. After vacation, tourists return with new ideas."
Anna Zagoruyko, CEO of a travel company, confirmed that Turkey, Egypt, and the UAE are leaders—these destinations are in demand year-round. Countries in Southeast Asia—Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam—are also popular. Among European countries, the Czech Republic is most often chosen. Zagoruyko noted that prices have not risen compared to last year, and the key is to plan ahead. She attributed the shift in priorities to: "People are reassessing their values, realizing that quality rest is more important than material goods."
Lyudmila Braun, operations director of a major tour operator, reported that after the recent flooding in Dubai, the situation has stabilized: all flights and hotels are operating normally. Popular destinations include Turkey, Egypt, the UAE, as well as Indonesia (Bali), the Maldives, China (Hainan), and Southeast Asian countries—Thailand and Vietnam. According to her, these regions were among the last to reopen after the pandemic, so demand is high, and the cost of living there is relatively low.
Rashad Bunyadov, CEO of a travel company, highlighted Vietnam's growing popularity due to its value for money: "Luxury hotels in Vietnam have lowered prices; they are cheaper than Turkish ones. But Turkey is still number one because of similar religion and cuisine. Other countries are learning from its experience and creating conditions for Kazakhs. Overall, our tourists prefer visa-free destinations." Bunyadov estimated an overall price increase of about 17% compared to last year, especially for Turkey, due to the geopolitical situation.
Domestic tourism is also developing: in 2023, Kazakhstan was visited by 9.2 million foreign tourists—almost double the previous year. Further growth in tourist flow is expected this year.