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- Review of tourist activities
Review of tourist activities
Review of tourist activities
1. Review of tourist activities
Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the world economy, providing opportunities for creating jobs and attracting the flow of the foreign currency into the country.
Since 2009, the number of business trips to Kazakhstan has almost doubled, up to 2 mln. in 2013, which amounts about 30% of all visits to Kazakhstan[1]. And this is just one segment of tourism - MICE-tourism (meetings, incentive travel, conferences and exhibitions).
Despite the fact that the programs and concepts for the development of the tourism industry are taken, the situation in the industry does not improve. It is necessary to solve the issues of visa formalities, quality of placements, high cost of tourist routes, problems of placements, transportation infrastructure, lack of service quality standards, professional training, etc.
1.1. Contribution of tourism activities to the economy
According to the methodology of the World Travel and Tourism Council, direct contribution of tourism to the economy of Kazakhstan in 2014 year amounted 629 bln. tenge (1.7% of GDP).
The overall contribution of tourism to GDP, taking into account the direct (30.8%), indirect (20.5%) and secondary (48.7%) effects in 2014 amounted 2.041 bln. tenge, or 5.6% of GDP. According to the forecasts of the Organization, there is expected increase in the total contribution of tourism in 2015 to 2.149 bln. tenge.
Also, the World Travel and Tourism Council estimated that tourism of the country created 152 thou. jobs in 2014 (1.8% of the total employment in the country) and according to forecasts it is expected that this figure will increase to 5.5% in 2015. The index includes data on employment in the accommodation places, tourist agencies and tour operators, airlines, transport companies, eating places, which are directly related to tourist servicing. According to projections by 2025 it is expected to create 237 thou. jobs.
Table 1. Operating statistics for provided accommodation services and activities of travel companies, thou. tenge
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
Locations: |
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
55 473 816 |
61 805 495 |
64 978 084 |
67 409 996 |
81 322 011 |
Expenses |
68 463 754 |
87 538 670 |
70 896 673 |
68 511 161 |
86 139 588 |
Expenses on taxes and mandatory payments |
3 372 245 |
2 770 311 |
3 373 863 |
2 891 221 |
3 217 960 |
Tour companies: |
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
27 038 860 |
20 106 902 |
16 893 988 |
39 639 960 |
29 375 324 |
Expenses |
23 849 981 |
16 347 511 |
19 004 224 |
45 863 155 |
23 405 078 |
Expenses on taxes and mandatory payments |
616 859 |
332 579 |
474 973 |
466 655 |
659 095 |
Source: Committee on statistics of the Ministry of National Economy of the RK
1.2. Structure of tourist activity
According to the Border Service of the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the number of visitors who entered the Kazakhstan increased by 35% from 4.1 mln. attendees in 2010 to 6.3 mln. in 2014, and visitors who left the country by 73.3% with 6 mln. attendees in 2010 to 10.4 mln. persons in 2014.
Table 2 The number of departing/arriving visitors, units
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
Number of non-residents who entered the Republic of Kazakhstan |
4 097 387 |
5 685 132 |
6 163 204 |
6 841 085 |
6 332 731 |
Number of residents who left the Republic of Kazakhstan |
6 019 171 |
8 020 400 |
9 065 579 |
10 143 710 |
10 449 972 |
Source: data of the Border Service of the NSC of the RK
It should be noted that in the international practice[2] “arrival” means “number of visitors of accommodation places”, rather than the number of entrants in Kazakhstan through the crossing points.
Figure 1. Number of serviced visitors in the placements, units
Residents |
Non-residents |
Source: Committee on statistics of the Ministry of National Economy of the RK
During 2014 the number of enterprises involved in the hotel business amounted to 2056 with a capacity of 109 094 beds, of which 96% of all placements are private businesses.
Table 3. Key performance indicators of locations
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
Number of placements, units |
1 494 |
1 642 |
1 526 |
1 678 |
2 056 |
Number of rooms |
34 353 |
37 368 |
37 786 |
41 197 |
49 128 |
Accommodation capacity, beds |
76 053 |
81 015 |
83 103 |
92 053 |
109 094 |
Provided room nights |
5 629 201 |
7 085 020 |
7 560 134 |
7 186 444 |
7 213 295 |
Provided placements for visitors |
2 548 868 |
2 845 832 |
3 026 227 |
3 307 752 |
3 808 894 |
Beds occupancy rate in % |
20.3 |
24.0 |
24.9 |
21.4 |
22.0 |
Source: Committee on statistics of the Ministry of National Economy of the RK
1.3. Capacity of internal market of tourism activities
International travel (the amount of services provided to non-residents by Kazakhstan) accounted 21% of the service exports and increased over the past five years by 24% to 1.3 bln. USD[3]. 73% of the country export structure of the international travel amounted services rendered to non-residents from the CIS countries. International travel (the amount of services received from non-residents by Kazakhstan) amounted to 13.2% in the services import and rose by 24% to 1.7 bln. USD. Thus, tourism balance there negative in the balance of payments of the country that may indicate that Kazakhstan is a “tourist donor” for other countries.
Figure 2. Exports and imports of services under the article “Travels” and external imbalance, mln. USD
Import |
Export |
Balance |
Source: National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan
1.4. Factors for the development of tourist activities
The main factors for the development of inbound tourism in Kazakhstan are the presence of natural and national sights.
There are offered tours and excursions in the protected zone Borovoe, Bayanaul, Karkaralinsk; beach holiday on the lakes Alakol, Balkhash, Kolsay lakes; wells Saryagash, Rakhmanovskie klyuchi; Ski Center Chimbulak, etc in Kazakhstan.
There are also thematic tour, such as the Baikonur Cosmodrome, expeditions to the North Aral Sea, Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, tours to holy places (pilgrimage) in Turkestan, etc.
In 2014, 60 of 231 museums of Kazakhstan are included in tour packages and excursion tours of the tour operators:
Astana |
- Museum of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan |
- National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan |
Almaty |
- Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan |
- A. Kasteyev State Museum of Arts |
- Museum of Folk Musical Instruments named after Yklas |
- State literary-memorial Museum complex of Sabit Mukanov and Gabit Musrepov |
- SMMO “Museum Association of Almaty” branch of the Museum named after D.A. Kunayev. |
- Literary -Memorial house-museum of M.O. Auezov |
Akmola region |
- Akmola Regional Historical Local Lore Museum |
- City history museum of Kokshetau |
- Schuchinskiy Museum of Local History |
- Museum of Local History named after Abylai Khan |
- SMMO Memorial Museum of Victims of Political Repressions and Totalitarianism Alzhir of Astana akimat |
Almaty region |
- Ilyas Zhansugurov Literary Museum |
- Local History Museum named after Tynyshpaev |
- Memorial Museum “Altyn Emel” of Ch.Valikhanov |
- Architectural Art Museum “Zharkentskaya mechet” |
Aktobe region |
- Aktobe Regional Historical Local Museum |
- Regional Memorial Museum of the Hero of the Soviet Union A. Moldagulova |
- SOPE Aktobe Regional Museum “Rukhaniyat” |
- Aktobe Regional Art Museum |
Atyrau region |
- Local History Museum of Atyrau region |
- Atyrau Regional Museum of Art and Applied Art named after Sh.Sariev |
East Kazakhstan region |
- East Kazakhstan Art Museum |
- SOPE Regional Historical Local Museum |
- SOPE “East Kazakhstan Regional Museum of Fine Arts named after Nevzorovs” of the Department of Culture, Archives and Records |
- Republican Literary and Memorial house-museum of Abay |
- SOPE Literary-Memorial Museum of F. M. Dostoevsky, Semey |
- SOPE East Kazakhstan Regional Architecture and Ethnography and Natural Landscape Museum-Reserve |
Zhambyl region |
- Regional Historical Local Museum |
- Exhibition Hall of the Regional Historical Local Museum |
- State Museum-Reserve “Monuments of ancient Taraz” - Historical-Architectural Complex “Aysha Bibi” - Historical-Architectural Complex “Karachan” - Historical-Architectural Complex “Akyrtas”
|
West Kazakhstan region |
- Regional Historical Local Museum |
- House-museum of Yemelyan Pugachyov |
Karaganda region |
- Ecological Museum in Karaganda |
- Karaganda Regional Museum of Fine Arts |
- Zhezkazgan Historical and Archeological Museum with exhibition hall |
- Karkaraly Local History Museum |
- Temirtau City Historical Museum |
- Historical and Cultural Center of the First President in Temirtau |
- Museum of Memory of Victims of Political Repression in vil. Dolinka |
Kostanay region |
- MPUI “Kostanay Regional Local History Museum” Department of Culture of Kostanay region |
- Kostanay Regional Memorial Museum Y.Altynsarin |
Kyzylorda region |
- Local History Museum of Kyzylorda region |
Mangystau region |
- Mangystau Regional Historical Local Museum |
- Historical Museum of Fisheries and Ethnography in Fort-Shevchenko |
Pavlodar region |
- Pavlodar Regional Historical Local Museum named after G.N.Potanin |
- House-Museum of D.P. Bagaev |
- Pavlodar Regional Art Museum |
- Museum of Literature and Art named after Bukhar Zhyrau |
- Ekibastuz Local History Museum |
- Bayanaul Memorial Museum of academician K.I. Satpayev |
North Kazakhstan region |
- Museum Complex “Residence of Abylay Khan” |
- North Kazakhstan Regional Historical Local Museum |
- North Kazakhstan Regional Museum of Fine Arts |
South Kazakhstan region |
- Local History Museum of South Kazakhstan region |
- Historical Cultural and Ethnographic Center |
- SMMO “Museum of Victims of Political Repression of South Kazakhstan region” |
- Historical and Memorial Museum in Turkestan |
- State Archaeology Museum-Reserve “Otyrar” |
Source: ALE “Metropolitan Tourism Association”
There are 12 official national natural parks and 10 state nature reserves in Kazakhstan[4].
Table 4. Number of visitors of the SNNP for 2013-2014
No. |
Name |
Number of visitors, person (including foreigners) |
|
2013 |
2014 |
||
1 |
Charyn |
4 400 (836 – foreigners) |
4 676 (1 037 – foreigners) |
2 |
Zhongar-Alatau |
270 |
375 (24 – foreigners) |
3 |
“Burabay” |
33 164 |
33 400 |
4 |
“Kolsay lakes” |
10 799 (403 – foreigners) |
13 836 (420 – foreigners) |
5 |
“Altyn-Emel” |
3 542 (363 – foreigners) |
4 330 (411 – foreigners) |
6 |
Bayanaul |
97 175 |
134 600 |
7 |
Ile-Alatau |
91 310 |
119 547 |
8 |
Buytarau |
290 (15 – foreigners) |
313 (20 – foreigners) |
9 |
Karkaraly |
18 585 |
21 076 |
10 |
Sayram-Ugam |
14 621 |
16 681 |
11 |
Katon-Karagay |
3 404 (88 – foreigners) |
3 410 (104 – foreigners) |
12 |
“Kokshetau” |
8 046 |
9 284 |
Source: ALE “Metropolitan Tourism Association”
Table 5. Number of visitors of the State Nature Reserve for 2013-2014
No. |
Name |
Number of visitors, person |
|
2013 |
2014 |
||
1 |
Almaty |
638 |
469 |
2 |
Aksu-Zhabagly |
1 599 (666-foreigners) |
1 868 (709 – foreigners) |
3 |
Korgalzhyn |
4 650 (198-foreigners) |
4 674 (400 – foreigners) |
4 |
Karatus |
60 |
90 |
5 |
Nauruzums |
225 (5-foreigners) |
227 (4-foreigners) |
6 |
Markakol |
349 |
- |
7 |
West-Altay |
575 (18-foreigners) |
469 (54-foreigners) |
8 |
Barsa-Kelmes |
86 |
97 (3 – foreigners) |
9 |
Ustyurt |
- |
11 – foreigners |
10 |
Alakol |
- |
- |
Source: ALE “Metropolitan Tourism Association”
2. Number of players in the tourism market
In 2014, 1 777 tourist firms operated in the country, of which only 20% of companies provided services in domestic tourism, including attracting tourists to the country. Other travel agencies worked only in the field of outbound tourism.
Table 6. Number of tourism enterprises, units
Total, including |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
3 057 |
3 260 |
3 465 |
3 666 |
3 852 |
|
Travel agencies (OKED 7911) |
2 630 |
2 756 |
2 874 |
2 999 |
3 098 |
Tour operators (OKED 7912) |
427 |
504 |
591 |
667 |
754 |
Source: Committee on statistics of the Ministry of National Economy of the RK
Table 7. List of major companies in the inbound and outbound tourism by regions
Region |
Name |
Proposed tours in the domestic and international markets |
Astana |
Touristic Center Tri Kita LLP |
Web site: www.trikitatour.kz In the Russian market (Omsk) since 1996. In the Kazakhstan market since 2010. Available Online Booking System for partner agencies (“Tri Kita Incoming”) integrated into the global sale systems of major Russian tour operators Proposed tours: Guided tours to the resorts of Burabay and Saryagash; as well as Zerenda, Balkhash, Zeleny Bor, children’s holiday, Tour “Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan”, Ethno-excursions in Astana (master class in pottery, felting and cooking national dishes), Excursions in Astana |
Vokrug Sveta LLP |
Web site: www.vokrug-sveta.kz On the market since 2000 Proposed tours: Health resorts in North-East, Central and South Kazakhstan, children’s holiday |
|
Kochevnik LLP |
Web site: www.kochevnik.com.kz Proposed Tours: tours to holy places (pilgrimage), national parks, tours to Baikonur, fishing, hunting, riding and city tours in Astana |
|
Akmolaturist LLP |
Website: www.akmolatourist.kz Assets include 3* hotel “Abay” and several buses/minibuses used for city tours and short rest. Proposed tours: children's tourism, tours in Astana and Akmola region, Burabay, Korgalzhyn SNNP, Zerenda |
|
IE “Arman Tuor” |
Website: no On the market since 2000. Proposed tours: tours in Astana and Akmola region, rest on the lake Alakol Combi-tour “Altyn Aimak Zhetysu” |
|
Gelios LLP |
Web site: www.geliostour.kz On the market since 1995. Proposed tours: Tours in Kostanay region, spa tours, holiday in Borovoe. Excursions in the SKR and Almaty region. Available Online Booking System for outbound tourism |
|
Explore Central Asia LLP
|
Website: No On the market since 2006. Proposed tours: tours in Kazakhstan, excursions in Astana and Almaty, Burabay, Zerenda, tours in the South of Kazakhstan. |
|
El tour LLP |
Web site: www.eltour.kz On the market since 2004. Proposed tours: Rest in Health resorts (Saryagash, Merke, Moyyldy, Sosnovy Bor, Rakhmanovskie klyuchi, holiday hotel “Kargaly”, Medical and Wellness Center “Ak-Kayin”, Akbulak) and dags baths and rest in Katon-Karagay |
|
Bayterek tour LLP |
Web site: www.baiterektour.com On the market since 2013. Proposed tours: Tours to Baikonur Cosmodrome from Astana, Tours in Astana. |
|
Sayat LLP
|
Web site: www.sayat-travel.kz On the market since 1993. Proposed tours: Sightseeing , therapeutic and historically educational tours in Burabay (1000 to 1300 tenge); Saryagash resort and SSPE Bayanaul (no info on the website); Booking documents in Health resorts Sosnovy Bor, Moyyldy, Merke. Lake Alakol (Recreation center ”Dorozhnik”). Children’s rest in health camps. Excursions in Astana (Stolichnoe Byuro Ekskursiy). Available Online Booking System for travel agencies only for outbound tourism |
|
Almaty |
Turan-Asia LLP |
Web site: www.turanasia.kz On the market since 1994. Proposed tours: Silk Road tour trip, Silk Roadtours tours across Kazakhstan 10-13 days, weekend tours, Borovoe, Astana, Semipalatinsk polygon, excursions on the SKR, rafting |
Almaty city tour LLP |
Web site: www.city-tour.kz On the market since 2010. Proposed tours: tours in Almaty and Almaty region. Silk Road Tours. Resort vacation. City tours and tours in Kazakhstan. Nature reserves and national parks of Kazakhstan, the Baikonur Cosmodrome, ethnographic and botanical tours |
|
Arnai tours LLP |
Web site: www.arnaitours.kz Tours: tours in Kazakhstan, therapeutic and bus tours |
|
Otrar travel LLP |
Web site: www.otrar.kz On the market of the year 1997 Proposed tours: cities in Kazakhstan, tours in Kazakhstan, accommodation in hotel “Otrar” 3 *, Ski Center Chimbulak, Resort zone Borovoe, tours in Almaty and region, excursion tours in WKR and SKR |
|
Complete Service LLP |
Web site: www.complete.kz On the market since 1999. Proposed tours: tours in Almaty and Almaty region, Astana, Akmola region, organization of events for business groups |
|
Tour Asia LLP
|
Web site: www.turanasia.kz On the market since 1990. Proposed tours: Tours in Almaty and Almaty region, Silk Road, SKR, Reserve “Aksu-Zhabagly”. Jeep tours in Almaty region, climbing to the Almaty peak |
|
Asia Discovery LLP |
Web site: www.asia-discovery.nursat.kz Proposed tours: Hot Springs Kolsai Lakes. Summer camp Maralsai. Ethnographic tour, weekend tours, tour to SKR. National natural parks |
|
Akzhol Travel LLP |
Web site: www.akzholtravel.com Proposed tours: Silk Road tours, Falcon hunting. Excursions in Almaty, Kazakhstan national parks. Birdwatching in vivo |
|
Nata Worldwide Travel LLP |
On the market since 2009. Web site: www.nata.kz Proposed tours: Excursion program in Almaty and Astana. Altyn Emel National Park. Mountain tracks, paragliding, rafting. Borovoe. Weekend tours. Ballooning, hunting, fishing |
|
IE “Discover Kazakhstan” |
On the market since 2013. Web site: www.discoverkazakhstan.kz Proposed tours: Excursions in Almaty and region. Weekend tours. Excursions to national parks and reserves |
|
Kan Tengri Expeditions LLP |
Web site: www.kantengri.kz On the market since 1994. Proposed tours: tours in Kazakhstan, hiking, mountaineering, trekking, helicopter tours, mountain bike, walking in the mountains, fishing |
|
Silk road adventures LLP |
Web site: www.silkroadadventures.info Proposed tours: tours in Kazakhstan, Silk Road tours, expeditions, mountaineering, historical tours. Weekend tours, space tourism, expeditions to the North Aral Sea. Tours of the cities of Kazakhstan |
|
Silk tour LLP |
Web site: www.silktour.kz Proposed tours: Eco-tours in Jungar Alatau. Tours for children. Silk Road tour. Beach vacation at Alakol, tour to the South Kazakhstan region. Health treatment in Kazakhstan Available Online Booking System |
|
Akmola region |
Voyage Travel Agency LLP |
Web site: www.voyage-travel.kz Proposed tours: Weekend tours, hot springs, Alakol |
Cruise LLP (Kokshetau) |
Web site: www.kruiz.kz Proposed tours: tours in Borovoye, Astana, Zerenda. Excursion tours in SKO, children's rest in Petropavlovsk. Planetarium. |
|
Pearl of Sinegorye |
Web site: www.borovoe-tour.kz On the market since 2006. Proposed tours: Excursions in Burabai |
|
Almaty region |
Shindal San LLP (Kapshaghay) |
Website: no Proposed tours: hunting, ecotourism |
Aktobe region |
Zeretur LLP (Aktobe) |
Web site: www.zeretour.kz Proposed tours: Mugojar mountains Tours in Aktyubinsk region |
Atyrau region |
Sputnik LLP (Atyrau) |
Website: no Proposed tours: tours in the region, Saraishyk, tours for expatriates in English |
Alfada-Fest LLP |
Website: no Proposed tours: tours in the region, Saraishyk. Tour to Astana. |
|
WKR |
Altayskie Ekspeditsii LLP
|
Web site: www.altaiexpeditions.kz Proposed tours: On the market since 1994. Cultural-educational tours Hiking and climbing Excursions Horse riding tours Ski tours Rural tourism Active leisure and adventures In the international market: Exclusive tours: Excursion to ancient astronomical complex AKBAUR; Ruins of ancient Buddhist monastery ABLAINSKIT; Geological tours in Rudnyi Altay; Tour at the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site |
Izumrudnyi Altay |
Web site: www.altay.kz Proposed tours: Vacation in East Kazakhstan (spa treatments, ski resorts, pantotheraphy) |
|
Togas Inturservis LLP (Semey) |
Web site: www.togastur.kz On the market since 1993. Proposed tours: Tours in the region. Alakol, Buhturma, Borovoe. Kazakhstan Health resorts |
|
Zhambyl region |
Taraz travel LLP |
Web site: www.taraz-travel.tar.kz Proposed tours: tours in and outside the city, pilgrimage tours, tours in Kazakhstan |
Taraz Profsoyuz Tourist LLP |
Website: no Proposed tours: tours in SKR |
|
Zolotoy Karavan LLP |
Website: no Proposed tours: tours in the SKR, Zhambyl region, ecological tours, excursions |
|
Baiterek sayakhat ortalygy LLP |
Web site: www.baitereksayahat.kz On the market since 2006. Proposed tours: Tours in Zhambyl region and SKR, ecotourism |
|
TULIP TRAVEL LLP |
Web site: www.tuliptravel.wix.com Proposed tours: Excursions in Turkistan, Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, Rabiga Begim Sultan, Otyrar, Taraz. Reserve “Аksu-Žabaġyly” |
|
Karaganda region |
Meridian LLP |
Website: no Proposed tours: children's tourism, domestic
tourism: |
Nomadic Travel Kazakhstan LLP |
Web site: www.nomadic.kz On the market since 2009. Proposed tours: tours in Astana, regions (Burabai, Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve, Alzhir Museum) and Semey (former nuclear test site). Ecotourism. Excursions in Karaganda. Photo Tours |
|
Tourist company EURO TOUR LLP |
Website: no Proposed tours: tours in the region, Kazakhstan Health resorts: Karkaralinsk, Burabay, Bayanaul, Balkhash, Zhasaly, Sayaly, Saryagash |
|
Gelios LLP |
Web site: www.geliostour.kz On the market since 1995. Proposed tours: Tours in Kostanay region, spa tours, holiday in Borovoe, Karkaralinsk, Balkhash. Excursions in Karaganda, SKR and Almaty region. Available Online Booking System |
|
Kostanay region |
BESTKZ LLP |
Web site: www.bestkz.kz On the market since 2014. Proposed tours: Excursion tours in Astana, Kostanay region, Nauruzumsk Natural Reserve |
Kyzylorda region |
Nika Tour LLP |
Website: no Proposed tours: tours in the region, Baikonur, pilgrimage tours in the SKR, tours to the Aral Sea, tours in Kazakhstan |
Tourism Bureau “Syrdariya” LLP |
Website: no On the market since 2014. Proposed tours: tours in the region, Silk Road tours, Baikonur |
|
Mangystau region |
Turist LLP |
Web site: www.aktau-tourist.com Proposed tours: Kazakhstan Health resorts, children’s tourism in the RK, tours in Mangistau region and excursions in the region |
Pavlodar region |
Pavlodar turist LLP |
Website: no Proposed tours: tours in the city, Astana, Bayanaul, children’s tourism, Kazakhstan Health resorts |
Sayat-Pavlodar LLP |
Website: no On the market of the year 1999 Proposed tours: all kinds of tourism in Kazakhstan at the customer’s request, currently 5 routes are being developed for EXPO in Pavlodar region |
|
Company “Pyat zvezd” LLP |
Website: no On the market since 2008. Proposed tours: Kazakhstan Health resorts, excursions in Astana, Almaty, Turkestan and Pavlodar region, vacation in Borovoe |
|
NKR |
Turist LLP
|
Website: no Proposed tours: Silk Road tour. Memorial complex Karasay and Agyntai Batyr. Excursion in Astana |
Progress LLP |
Website: no Proposed tours: tours in Burabay. Tours in NKR |
|
SKR |
Season Travel Kz LLP |
Web site: www.seasontravel.kz Proposed tours: Tours in SKR: Three days in Southern Kazakhstan. Silk Road Rivers Valley. Kazakhstan Deserts. Horse riding tours. Aksu Zhabagly. Baikonur Cosmodrome Health resorts: Saryagash, Mankent, Arys. |
Shymkent tourist LLP |
Web site: www.shymtour.kz Proposed tours: Excursions in Sayram, Turkestan and Kentau. Otrar |
|
Sael tour LLP |
Web site: www.sael.kz On the market since 2006. Proposed tours: tours in SKR, Kazakhstan Health resorts, Burabay, Alakol |
|
Turkestan Elit tour LLP |
Web site: www.turkelit.shi.kz On the market since 2012. Proposed tours: Pilgrim tours in SKR. Local lore excursions. Sightseeing tour to Shymkent. Underground ethno-museum “Shymkent”. Extreme-Tour “Rafting on the Syr Darya River”. Hiking along the gorge of the Sairam-Su river |
Source: ALE “Metropolitan Tourism Association”
In the overall structure of the proposal of the accommodation places a significant share occupies hotels that make up 70% of all proposals in the Republic. The share of “classified” hotels accounts for only 12% of the total proposed accommodation places, while the share of “not classified” hotels - 58%. However, the share of “not classified” hotels and other accommodation places are not covered by the Regulation of quality standards in accordance with the international norms.
Table 8. Number of accommodation facilities in 2015
Categories of hotels and other accommodation |
Objects |
Number of rooms |
Accommodation capacity |
|
5-star hotels |
20 |
3 392 |
5 495 |
|
4-star hotels |
64 |
4 712 |
6 817 |
|
3-star hotels |
127 |
6 146 |
8 706 |
|
2-star hotels |
20 |
847 |
1 326 |
|
1-star hotels |
17 |
725 |
1 379 |
|
Hotels without categories |
1 206 |
21 714 |
40 629 |
|
Other accommodation |
649 |
14 207 |
51 554 |
|
Total |
2 103 |
51 743 |
115 906 |
Source: Committee on statistics of the Ministry of National Economy of the RK
3. Barriers and limitations for the development of tourism activities and recommendations to address them
1. There is no basis for cooperation of travel agencies in the development of domestic tourism, including:
- rights, procedure of work of travel agencies from other cities, museums attendance policy, sights, conditions of maximum use of “local content” works are not regulated at the local level;
- there is a lack of use of modern technologies for online booking tours by tour operator companies (except for TriKita Comany), that is a basis of B2B cooperation (business-to-business) of directly Kazakh tourist companies in the inter-regional and inter-city scale;
- poor marketing and wrong strategy of regions promotion (low budget for marketing in most regions)
2. The legal status (rights and duties) of individual subjects of tourist activity - guides (guides-interpreters), tourism instructors, tour guides, who are allowed to provide tourism services is not uncovered
3. The lack of state control over the activities of persons providing excursion services
4. The lack of public access to the register of tour guides, as well as contact information of guides
5. Market penetration of foreign systems of online booking and sale of tours, which are not registered in the country and accordingly do not pay taxes for the purchase of tours and hotel rooms
6. There are no regulations in the implementation mechanism of social tourism, including provisions on social tourism entities, their legal status (rights and obligations)
7. There is no state control of the quality of tourist services rendered in the field of food, transport, placement
8. Ineffective protection of tourists, traveling or intending to travel abroad
9. Growth of travel agencies - “short-lived companies” artificially undercharging cost of travel packages and not fulfilled their obligations
10. There is no clear and transparent system of tourism projects management
11. An opaque allocation mechanism for land lease:
- State national parks;
- forest fund;
- water protection zones
12. There are no mechanisms of self-regulation of the internal tourism industry
13. The lack of a systematic approach to the tourism management within the country, as well as the lack of foundations for public and private sector cooperation for development of inbound and outbound tourism
14. Lack of preferences in connection with the cancellation of benefits under the regime of “free warehouse” from January 1, 2017
15. In contrast to the taxation of tour operators of inbound tourism, there are no regulations ensuring VAT exemption or reduction of the size of the taxable turnover on realization of tourist services to a travel agent (as the direct seller of tourist services) of inbound and domestic tourism
16. Restrictions on land transport:
- instability of the schedule of vehicles;
- lack of regulation of equipping the vehicle to transport tourists by special tour equipment;
- lack of requirements for professional training of entities that transport tourists;
- lack of group rates for railway passage;
- no special parking areas for excursion buses
17. The right to property of foreign persons is limited: only foreigners permanently residing in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan and with a residence permit, may exercise their right to private ownership of property
18. Additional registration of foreign citizens’ passports from several countries after 15 calendar days
19. Lack of information (analytical review, market research) on the tourist market conditions, customer demand characteristics, market segmentation opportunities, key market trends
4. The list of potential opportunities for entrepreneurial initiatives
1. There is insufficient level of cooperation between tour companies and hotels, museums and artisans. Only 20% of travel agencies operate at the inboard tourism market, of which no more than 2% of travel agencies (Tri Kita, Turan Asia, Nata travel, Khan Tengri and Almaty City tour) provide a full cycle of rendering tourist B2B services (business to business);
2. There are no transport services, viewing platforms and the possibility of riding on horses and camels within the national natural parks;
3. Poor infrastructure in museums where there are no souvenir shops, cafés, cafeterias and audio guides. Also, close to the museums there is no catering points, crafts markets, souvenir shops and essential goods;
4. The lack and insufficiency of the proposals in the field of ethno-tourism (ethnoauls, tent, theatre, performances);
5. The lack of theme parks;
6. Insufficient development of event tourism (congresses, forums, festivals, sporting events, etc.);
7. In places of accommodation it is necessary to develop additional services, such as souvenir shops, organization of conferences, celebrations, weddings, spa services;
8. In settlements close to national parks and reserves it is necessary to organize artisan markets, cafe and teahouse, kymyzhana in yurts, fastfoods;
9. Yurt village should be established in the urban parks. In addition, to start development of ethnoauls;
10. In the cities and regional centers there are no tours and city one-and two-day tours;
11. Development of children’s tourism;
12. To reorient the tourists on holiday on the Lakes of Kazakhstan (Alakol, Balkhash, Kambash, Shalkar) it is necessary to develop the infrastructure. For example, a short season in Alakol (3 months in the summer) can be turned into year-round vacation, developing health resort vacation, using the healing water and mud of the lake for the treatment of skin, allergic and other diseases;
13. Development and promotion of the excursion package tours for Russians at the level of the B2B (business to business);
14. A single tourist route along the road "Western China-Western Europe", where each area has tourist routes (2-5 days), opening the unknown, but mentioned in the history of “steppe” and “fur” Silk Road;
15. The development of MICE-tourism (meetings, incentive tours, conferences and exhibitions) and business tourism in Almaty and Astana.
5. SWOT-analysis of the industry
Strengths |
Weaknesses |
§ Economic and political stability in the country; § Visa-free regime for OECD countries; § Tourist recreational resources; § Stable political situation
|
§ No separate development and support tourism program; § Imperfect legislation in the tourism industry; § Weakness of the provided services quality control by the participants of the tourist market; § Poor infrastructure; § Large proportion of shadow economy; § High prices in places of accommodation; § Inefficient promotion (there is no evaluation of the measures effectiveness within the country); § Shortage of qualified personnel; § Relative high cost of international flights; § Lack of monitoring and research in the field of the target markets; § Weak protection of domestic tourist firms, market penetration of Turkish and Russian tour operators, online travel agencies; § Lack of coordination and interaction between market participants; § Low level of public-private partnerships; § Shortage of trained personnel in tourism management at the state and local levels |
Opportunities |
Threats |
§ Integration processes in the framework of the Eurasian Economic Community; § Opening to tourist flows from Russia, China and India
|
§ International online travel agencies (booking.com, expedia, kayak.com); § proximity of Kazakhstan to countries with unstable political regime, Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan, which have a negative impact on the perception of potential tourists; § Increased competition from the neighbouring countries |
Source: ALE “Metropolitan Tourism Association”
[1] UNWTO Report “Tourism Barometer” (December 2014)
[2] International recommendations on tourism statistics, 2008. UNWTO
[3] In accordance with the methodology of the balance of payments of the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the article “Travels” covers primarily the goods and services that have been purchased in the country by visitors (non-residents of Kazakhstan, residents in foreign countries), if their duration of stay does not exceed one year.
[4] The list is approved by the Order No.18-1/483 of Acting Minister of Agriculture of the RK of May 28, 2015 ”On approval of the list of especially protected natural territories of national importance”
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