Known for its vibrant heritage and dramatic landscapes, Kazakhstan continues to attract nature lovers from all over the world. With its unique blend of steppes, mountain forests, chalk cliffs, and nature parks, it’s no surprise that the country has witnessed a tourism surge with over 4 million international visitors last year.
But with many countries now surpassing pre-pandemic tourism levels, Kazakhstan faces a complex challenge: How will it manage this influx of tourists without straining the local environment and wildlife?
Here are three ways Kazakhstan’s tourism industry is promoting sustainable tourism:
Encouraging responsible consumer behavior
In an interview with The Astana Times, Kazakh Tourism Chairman Kairat Sadvakassov highlighted the state agency’s “bottom-up approach to sustainable tourism.”
Consumer behavior is the key to achieving sustainability. If tourists become responsible and choose accommodations and services based on their environmental practices, such as selecting restaurants that source organic food, using EVs over traditional fuel vehicles, and avoiding single-use plastics, businesses will naturally adapt,” Sadvakassov explained.
Sadvakassov believes that consumer demand is a stronger motivator for businesses than government regulations.
“You cannot force businesses to adjust just by changing regulations. The customer should demand sustainability because they are paying. This is the fastest way the business will adjust,” he said.
Engaging local communities
The village of Saty in the capital Almaty was named the best tourism village of 2023 by the United Nations World Tourism Organization. Saddakassov noted that Kazakh Tourism’s efforts to promote sustainable tourism through the local community were key to its success.
Kazakh Tourism trained nearly 1,000 village residents to convert their homes into guest accommodations that offer authentic local experiences and products. These guest houses were supported by local businesses.
“The idea is to engage the entire community, not just guest houses. When tourists come, they don’t simply stay overnight. They want to go around and meet people. We saw different businesses grow,” Sadvakassov said.
Enhancing nature tours using technology
Kazakhstan’s national parks, particularly the Kolsai Koldery National Park, have seen almost a tenfold increase in tourist numbers over the past decade, causing a strain on its routes and trails.
Hamit Akhemtov, a researcher and environmental education specialist at the park, believes that virtual tours can help alleviate this burden. “Virtual tours introduce people to the diversity of the national park’s nature and can inspire interest in visiting other, presently lesser-known routes,” he said.
Such virtual tours also offer international tourists a chance to experience the park before committing to a visit.
“The tourist season in Katon-Karagai National Park is extremely short – from June to September. However, due to virtual tours, anyone can take a virtual walk in picturesque places and plan a future trip more thoroughly,” said Serik Konurbeav, a specialist on the Katon-Karagai National Park.
