ASTANA, Kazakhstan, September 16. Investments worth $4 billion have been attracted to Kazakhstan's tourism industry over the past three years, said Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov at the International Forum on Tourism Development, which takes place in Aktau, Trend reports.
As he noted, during this period, more than 400 tourist facilities were built, hotels of over 20 well-known international chains, including Hilton, Marriott, Wyndham, Accor and others, opened their doors in the republic.
"We invite foreign and domestic investors to consider the tourism sector of Kazakhstan as an opportunity for long-term investment with the support of the government of the country," he said.
At the same time, he noted that, as part of increasing the international competitiveness of Kazakhstan’s tourism, it is important to strengthen interdepartmental coordination to promote the image of Kazakhstan abroad.
"In this regard, it is necessary to develop the country’s tourism, as well as strengthen the promotion of the Republic of Kazakhstan on international arena," he said.
Smailov added that, to increase investment activity, it is also necessary to work out an increase in the terms of preferential lending for tourism projects and strengthen government support measures for bringing infrastructure to tourism facilities.
In 2022, about 1 million foreign tourists visited Kazakhstan; in 2023, this figure is expected to increase to 1.4 million people.