In 2024, more than 2.8 million visitors came to Kazakhstan’s national parks — 18% more than the previous year, reports Infotabigat.kz, citing the press service of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The greatest tourist interest traditionally goes to the Ile-Alatau National Park, Charyn Canyon, Altyn-Emel, and the Kolsai Lakes. The growth in interest in ecotourism has become a driving force for large-scale development of new routes and tourism infrastructure.
In accordance with the instructions of the President of Kazakhstan on the development of domestic tourism, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports is carrying out systematic work to create modern eco-trails. About 750 kilometers of nature routes have already been improved, and in the coming years, another 350 kilometers are planned, taking into account seasonality and transport accessibility. This year alone, nine new tourist trails will be laid.
One of the most ambitious projects is the “Alatau Amanaty” route, created on the basis of the “Ayusai” visitor center. It will unite more than 1,200 kilometers of trails through the picturesque landscapes of the Zailiysky Alatau — from Charyn Canyon to the “Tanbaly” museum-reserve. Along the route, ethno-villages, campgrounds, glamping sites, and gastro-tourism facilities will appear. The project is aimed at both the domestic and international adventure tourism markets.
In addition to infrastructure development, Alatau Amanaty focuses on involving rural populations in the tourism sector and developing the local economy. The initiative is being implemented by the public association KazAlpineClub with the support of the AMANAT party, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the national company Kazakh Tourism, as well as the akimats of Almaty and Almaty Region.
Some sections of the future route are already becoming attractions. These include the “Yesik” museum-reserve, Kok-Zhailau tract, Butakovka Gorge, Alma-Arasan hot springs, Big Almaty Lake, the medieval settlement of Talhiz, and the mountain resort Oi-Qaragai.
On the day the project launched, participants held an environmental event, plogging, timed to coincide with the national initiative “Taza Kazakhstan”.
“The development of such projects not only promotes sustainable tourism but also opens new economic opportunities for the regions, creating jobs and supporting local communities,” the ministry’s statement said.