Kazakhstan, Astana, Nov. 1 / Trend D. Mukhtarov /
A regional office of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) is planned to be opened in Almaty, Kazakhstan, akim (mayor) Akhmetzhan Yesimov said today.
"We have discussed the prospects of mountain tourism development in Almaty together with WTO representatives and agreed to open a regional office of the organization in our city," Yesimov said at a briefing in the office of the Central Communication Service under the Kazakh President today.
According to Yesimov, WTO representatives have previously acquainted with the potential of Almaty and Alatau foothills, as well as the existing infrastructure.
Yesimov recalled that tourism is the only sphere which increased by 4 per cent of GDP in developing countries as of 2012, while this figure was 10-15 per cent of GDP in developed countries and less than 1 percent in Kazakhstan.
"A decision was made to open a special college, where the specialists will be trained in the tourism sphere," Yesimov added.
Almaty is Kazakhstan's largest metropolis, located in Alatau foothills.