Kazakhstan Sees Sharp Surge in Arab Tourists

Kazakhstan witnessed a substantial boost in tourism from the Arab world in 2024, with a 62% overall increase in visitors from five key Arab nations, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

Data from the Border Service indicates that the number of tourists from Oman surged by 80%, exceeding 15,000 visitors, The Caspian Post reports, citing The Times of Central Asia.

The United Arab Emirates followed closely, with 14,700 tourists, a 40% increase compared to 2023. Saudi Arabia saw a 47% rise, contributing over 9,000 visitors. Meanwhile, tourist arrivals from Qatar increased by 50%, and visitors from Bahrain nearly quadrupled compared to 2022.

In a bid to further attract travelers from the Gulf region, Kazakhstan participated in the Arabian Travel Market, held in Dubai from April 28 to May 1. The national stand highlighted major tourist destinations including Almaty, Astana, and the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The country promoted a diverse range of travel offerings, from cultural and culinary routes to scientific and educational tours.

Kazakhstan was also among the most sought-after destinations for Arab tourists during the Eid al-Fitr holidays, marking the end of Ramadan.

Overall, Kazakhstan continues to solidify its status as a rising international tourism destination. In 2024, the country welcomed 15.3 million visitors, a 66% increase from the previous year. Among them were 655,000 tourists from China, 146,000 from India, 130,000 from Turkey, 92,000 from Germany, and 40,000 from South Korea.