Kazakhstan Tourism Expenditures Hit 1.1 Trillion Tenge: Internal Travel Gains Momentum

The Bureau of National Statistics has released the comprehensive tourism performance indicators for the past year, revealing a significant surge in both the mobility and spending of Kazakhstani travelers. According to the report, the total number of domestic and international tourists exceeded 11.7 million people.

The total financial expenditure on tourism reached 1,134.2 billion tenge. The data highlights a strong preference for domestic destinations, which accounted for more than half of the total spending:

• Domestic Tourism: 659.2 billion tenge (58.1% of total expenditures).

• International Tourism: The remaining portion was allocated to outbound travel.

The vast majority of citizens - 87.2% (10.2 million people) - opted for travel within the country. The most visited regions and cities included:

1. Astana

2. Turkistan Region

3. Almaty

4. Almaty Region

5. Karaganda Region

Travel habits varied significantly depending on the destination:

• Domestic Travel: Private vehicles remained the primary choice for 36.1% of travelers, followed by railway transport at 26.4%.

• International Travel: For those heading abroad, air travel was the dominant preference, utilized by 55.7% of tourists.

The study categorized the primary motivations for travel as follows:

• Personal Purposes: A staggering 94.1% of trips were made for leisure, visiting relatives, or medical treatment.

• Business Travel: Corporate and business-related trips accounted for only 5.9% of the total.

Experts emphasize that the 659.2 billion tenge spent on domestic tourism serves as a major catalyst for the growth of the local service sector. The increasing interest in domestic nature and comfort suggests a steady shift in consumer behavior, providing a sustainable impetus for the development of Kazakhstan’s tourism infrastructure.