Kazakhstan, Astana, May 13/ Trend, A. Maratov /
The Kazakh Tourist Association stands for introducing a visa-free regime for tourists visiting the country, President Rosa Asanbayeva told journalists in Astana.
"Today, unfortunately, there are problems for foreigners obtaining a visa to Kazakhstan, while we should welcome and support the arrival of tourists in every way," she said. "The Tourism Ministry is working on this problem. The Kazakh Tourist Association stands for introducing a visa-free regime."
She said experts forecast the beginning of a new tourist boom in 2012.
"According to experts, the tourist business in Kazakhstan is fundamentally changing. If German citizens were once the leaders, today it is China, Russia and Arab countries," she underscored.
Asanbayeva said Kazakhstan should take advantage of the situation and make every effort to attract tourists, but not to create barriers on their way.
" Kazakhstan should prepare external infrastructure so that it was more convenient for tourists to visit our tourist sites such as Borovoe and Kinderli or Charyn Canyon. But for mass tourism it is necessary to resolve the issue of privileges and preferences, including the visa-free regime," Asanbayeva said.
She cited Turkey as an example, which has attracted a large flow of tourists by establishing visa-free regime.Asanbayeva said today's legislation has a number of barriers preventing the tourism sector's development in the country.
"Laws must work and be convenient for business," Asanbayeva said.