Dhaka: Kazakhstan is aiming to expand its tourism sector across agriculture, business, shopping, events, and eco-tourism.

However, President Kassym-Jomart Tokaïev has voiced concerns over the poor state of infrastructure and basic amenities at many destinations, which could discourage international visitors.

Acting Chairman of Kazakh Tourism, Daniyel Serzhanuly, told Euronews that the agency is focusing on four key areas to achieve the goal of 15 million annual visitors by 2029.

Earlier this year, the Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Information stated that UNESCO is expected to add 11 more of Kazakhstan’s monuments to the World Heritage List in 2026, thus boosting the tourism potential of the country.

At the moment, Kazakhstan is home to six sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List: the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, the Petroglyphs of Tamgaly, Saryarka, the Western Tien-Shan, the Cold Winter Deserts of Turan, and a portion of the Silk Roads known as the Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor.

“These are our national treasures. We must turn all of them into centres that attract tourists. Such monuments should be introduced to the world. They need to be featured in films and programs, included in books and school textbooks.

They should also be widely promoted at exhibitions and forums,” said Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov at the time.

According to Anuar Akhmetzhanov, Deputy Chairman of the Board at the national railway company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, several trains have been added to the schedule to facilitate access to remote areas. This applies to popular destinations such as Balkhash, Burabai, and Alakol.

Aside from national services, a new train connecting Kazakhstan to other destinations in Central Asia is scheduled to boost tourism over the coming years.

The connection allows tourists to travel at night, while they may use the daytime to explore some of the major cities on the route.

The first train between China and Kazakhstan was also introduced, which should be connected to the Central Asia line in the future. Cross-border travel has also been facilitated, as border control takes place inside the train, thus making the voyage more comfortable for travellers.

-B