Kazakhstan Kicks Off 2025 Year of China Tourism

Astana officially kicked off the Year of China Tourism in Kazakhstan. The opening ceremony was attended by Kazakh Minister of Tourism and Sports Yerbol Myrzabosynov and Chinese Minister of Culture and Tourism Sun Yeli, highlighting the strengthening cultural and economic ties between the two nations.

Minister Myrzabosynov emphasized that tourism has become a vital bridge in strengthening people-to-people connections between Kazakhstan and China, The Caspian Post reports citing foreign media.

The 2025 initiative follows the success of the Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China in 2024, declared by Presidents Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Xi Jinping as part of ongoing bilateral cooperation.

A centerpiece of this year’s initiative is the implementation of the Welcome Chinese program, which aims to tailor Kazakhstan’s hospitality and tourism services to meet the needs of Chinese visitors. The program includes efforts to improve language accessibility, offer Chinese-style amenities in hotels, and develop guided tours designed specifically for Chinese tourists.

According to the Kazakh Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China yielded significant results. In 2024, Kazakhstan welcomed 655,000 tourists from China, a 78% increase compared to 367,000 in 2023. The surge in travel was further supported by the mutual visa-free regime introduced in November 2023. Under this agreement, citizens of both countries can travel visa-free for up to 30 days per visit, with a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. The visa exemption applies to tourism, medical visits, business travel, and transit.

Officials expect that the Year of China Tourism in Kazakhstan will not only boost inbound travel from China but also deepen economic, cultural, and diplomatic cooperation between the two nations.