Ski resort peak welcomes visitors at "Shymbulak" summit
Almaty, Kazakhstan is making significant strides in attracting private investments to bolster its tourism sector. The city's focus on eco-tourism development is evident in the integration of glamping zones, visitor centers, and medical/wellness tourism initiatives.
Glamping Zones
The Almaty region is witnessing the construction of glamping facilities, especially in scenic and adventure tourism locations such as near the Baikonur Cosmodrome and Kegen District. These upscale eco-friendly accommodations blend nature experiences with comfort, enhancing the allure of natural landscapes. Ongoing investments include glamping sites alongside tourist infrastructure developments, like a glass bridge and a 420-meter zipline.
Visitor Centers
While specific details about new visitor centers in Almaty are scarce, the development of educational and cultural experiences is a priority. An example is the museum near the Baikonur Cosmodrome, complemented by immersive viewing facilities, targeting space and adventure tourism. This approach combines cultural heritage and innovative tourism with visitor engagement.
Medical/Wellness Tourism
Kazakhstan's tourism strategy includes wellness as part of thematic developments alongside cultural, educational, and adventure tourism sectors. The investment dialogue in the Almaty region suggests tourism infrastructure likely integrating wellness services, considering global eco-tourism trends. Future plans towards diverse tourism modes may incorporate wellness centers linked to natural resources and health tourism nearby.
Other Developments
Eight tourist information points are currently operational in the city to enhance tourist awareness. This year, 11 mountain trails in the Small and Big Almaty Gorges, totaling 171 km, are being improved. Almaty has also digitized around 1000 km of mountain hiking trails, with 25 trails totaling 325 km having been improved this year.
A glamping zone, Tenir Eco Hotel, is under construction in Almaty. The visitor center at the "Medeu" base station was launched in early December, and the visitor center at the highest point of the "Shymbulak" ski resort was launched today. The glamping zone at Tenir Eco Hotel, scheduled to be commissioned by the end of this year, offers panoramic views of the peaks of the Zailiisky Alatau.
Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Eraly Tugzhanov, recently visited tourist facilities in Almaty to monitor the progress of eco-tourism development. The total amount of private investments in the three projects is approximately 1 billion tenge. Tugzhanov emphasized the role of tourism as a driver of economic growth in Almaty and highlighted the importance of developing medical and wellness tourism, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The Tenir Eco Hotel, an upcoming glamping zone in Almaty, is set to joined the city's eco-tourism developments, promising a blend of nature, comfort, and panoramic views of the Zailiisky Alatau peaks.
- The Almaty government's focus on medical tourism is evident in the upcoming commission of wellness services at the Tenir Eco Hotel, aligning with global eco-tourism trends and the Deputy Prime Minister's emphasis on its significance, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
