On April 24, industry leaders gathered at the Kazakhstan International Tourism and Travel Exhibition (KITF) to discuss the latest trends and shifts in the tourism industry. One of the main topics was the changing purchasing patterns of Kazakhstan citizens.
According to Balzhan Bilyalova, Director of Distribution at tour operator FUN&SUN, the idea of traveling only during specific seasons has become less prominent. Rashad Ramiz oglu Bunyadov, General Director of LLC “Anex tour Kazakhstan,” also observed that traveling more frequently is becoming more common, with people taking multiple trips in a single year.
A noticeable trend is the increasing popularity of Southeast Asian destinations among Kazakhstani travelers. Countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, and Samui Island were mentioned as top destinations. Victoria Ulyanova, General Director of SELFIE TRAVEL, noted that her company has been exploring new tourist destinations in Southeast Asia, particularly during the summer months when traditional options were unavailable due to pandemic restrictions.
The digitalization of the tourism industry is another key trend. Kaspi Bank’s “Kaspi Travel” initiative, which allows clients to purchase tours and flight tickets online and pay partially by installments, has significantly impacted the market. Inna Rey, Chairperson of the Corporate Fund “Touristik Qamqor,” stated that “Kaspi Travel has taken the second place in volume of sales, as banking is included in their services.”
Despite the technological advancements, maintaining a personal and individualized approach towards clients remains crucial, especially in countries with an Eastern mentality. Balzhan Bilyalova emphasized the importance of fostering personal connections in building strong customer relationships.
