Ski resort peak sees the arrival of a new visitor center at Shymbulak
In the heart of Kazakhstan, the city of Almaty is witnessing a surge in tourism development, thanks to substantial private investments. Over the past three years, around 1000 km of mountain hiking trails have been digitized, with 25 trails totaling 325 km improved, providing a more enjoyable experience for visitors. This year, an additional 11 trails in the Small and Big Almaty Gorges, totaling 171 km, are being improved [1].
Deputy Prime Minister Eraly Tugzhanov recently visited Almaty to inspect these tourist facilities. During his tour, he inspected the visitor centers at the "Medeu" base station and the "Shymbulak" resort. The visitor center at the "Medeu" base station, launched in early December, includes a tourist information center, an "adventure office," and a food court [2]. The visitor center at the highest point of the "Shymbulak" ski resort was launched today, offering visitors a one-stop shop for obtaining information, buying souvenirs, renting equipment, hiring instructors, and booking services [3].
The "Shymbulak" ski and snowboard school, the largest in Kazakhstan, annually holds over 10,000 lessons with more than 15,000 students. To cater to the growing number of visitors, a new glamping zone, Tenir Eco Hotel, is under construction. The eco-houses at Tenir Eco Hotel are fully assembled in Kazakh factories and equipped with recycling systems for environmental preservation [4]. The glamping zone is due for commissioning by the end of the year and will offer panoramic views of the Zailiysky Alatau peaks [5].
The all-season resort in Almaty includes hotels, ski complexes, restaurants, cafes, hostels, and various recreation centers. Private investments in tourism development in Almaty have been advancing with significant projects and financial commitments, such as a USD 150 million investment into the Oi-Qaragai ski cluster aimed at creating over 1,200 jobs by the end of 2025 [6]. Other private initiatives include the construction of tourist infrastructure like a glass bridge, a 420-meter zipline, and glamping facilities in the Almaty region [1].
Sabina Amankeldy, head of Almaty's tourism department, announced the city is attracting private investments in tourism. Eight tourist information points are currently operational in the city, and two visitor centers have been built this year using private funds [7]. Tugzhanov highlighted the need to focus on developing medical and wellness tourism, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic [8]. The total amount of private investments in these three projects is approximately 1 billion tenge [9].
Kazakhstan is actively working on enhancing its tourism sector overall, targeting €10 billion in tourism revenue and 15 million visitors by 2029 [2][3]. This involves improving infrastructure at natural and historical sites near Almaty and other regions, developing air connectivity with new flights and airports, and modernizing tourism offerings supported by digital tools like AI-powered apps [2][3]. In 2024, Kazakhstan invested nearly 947.5 billion tenge (~USD 2 billion) in fixed assets for sustainable tourism development nationwide, reflecting strong government and private sector collaboration [10].
References:
- Almaty Tourism
- Kazakhstan to Boost Tourism Revenue to €10 Billion by 2029
- Kazakhstan to Attract 15 Million Tourists by 2029
- Tenir Eco Hotel
- Almaty Tourism Development
- Oi-Qaragai Ski Cluster
- Almaty Tourist Information Points
- Medical and Wellness Tourism in Kazakhstan
- Private Investments in Almaty Tourism
- Sustainable Tourism Development in Kazakhstan
In line with the growth of tourism in Almaty, the government is focusing on enhancing lifestyle experiences for visitors. The increased private investments in tourism development, such as the construction of visitor centers and eco-friendly tourist facilities like Tenir Eco Hotel, aim to provide a unique travel experience for tourists, blending outdoor activities with modern amenities.
