Kazakhstan is strategically expanding its visa-free entry policy, welcoming travelers from 27 Schengen Area nations, neighboring CIS countries, and key Middle Eastern nations. This move aims to position Kazakhstan as a prominent travel destination in Central Asia, attracting international tourists with its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and growing attractions. The policy is anticipated to boost tourism arrivals, foster cultural exchange, and drive economic growth.
A Kazakh tourist was apprehended for carving his name, ‘ALI,’ onto a wall of the House of the Ceii in Pompeii. The tourist is facing charges and will be responsible for any restoration costs.
Approximately 100 petroglyphs, dating back to the Bronze or Early Iron ages, have been discovered in the Zhambyl region of Kazakhstan. Depicting animals, humans, and hunting scenes, these engravings were found during a nationwide environmental cleanup campaign. Although scholars acknowledge the existence of the site, it has been kept a secret to protect it until it could be thoroughly examined.
Kazakhstan has made significant progress in its tourism industry, ranking 52nd among 119 nations in the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Development Index 2024. This marks a substantial improvement from its previous position of 66th in 2021. Kazakhstan’s strong performance in categories such as health and hygiene, price competitiveness, and tourism’s socioeconomic impact contributed to its rise in the rankings.
The Alstom Foundation has donated to the “Qazastanhalkyna” public fund to support flood relief efforts in Kazakhstan. The fund will use the donation to build houses for those impacted by the floods, with memorandums already finalized to build 314 houses in three regions. Alstom employees in Astana have also donated clothing to the “Istoki dobra” charitable fund to assist individuals in need in Northern Kazakhstan.
The brutal murder of Saltanat Nukenova, allegedly at the hands of her former government minister husband Kuandyk Bishimbayev, has ignited outrage and sparked a movement for stricter domestic violence laws in Kazakhstan. During a recent court hearing, surveillance footage emerged showing Bishimbayev torturing his wife for hours, leading to her death. Despite initially denying wrongdoing, Bishimbayev has now admitted to the beatings, claiming her death was unintended. The case has brought to light the alarmingly high rates of domestic violence in Kazakhstan, where hundreds of women are murdered annually due to abuse.
At the Kazakhstan International Tourism and Travel Exhibition (KITF), Air Astana Group’s country and regional managers met to discuss updates in tourist exchanges and strategies to enhance cooperation. The largest airline group in Central Asia and the Caucasus, Air Astana Group, serves over 94 routes across 21 countries.
At the Kazakhstan International Tourism and Travel Exhibition (KITF), banking delegates met to discuss the latest trends in the sector. Sergey Ulyanich from Home Credit Bank indicated that tourism is not the most lucrative area for their bank, with loans mostly going towards smartphones and furniture. He revealed that the average tourism loan from Home Credit Bank is around $1686, used to enhance experiences or upgrade destinations. Kaspi Bank’s introduction of interest-free installment payments and a user-friendly mobile app have made it the most popular bank in Kazakhstan. The bank’s Kaspi Travel platform, launched in collaboration with tour operators, has posed a challenge to traditional tour agencies. Despite partnering with Kaspi Travel, Selfie Travel reported only a modest increase in sales, highlighting the impact of the platform.
A South Korea-bound flight from Hungary made an emergency landing in Kazakhstan on Tuesday due to unruly conduct by a Korean passenger, who shouted obscenities and caused a commotion midflight. The woman, accompanied by her family, forced the LOT Polish Airlines flight to land at Astana Airport, where she was arrested by authorities. Video footage shows other passengers attempting to restrain the disruptive passenger, who continued to scream and curse. The incident caused a five-hour delay for the 183 passengers on board, who expressed dismay over the disruption. The South Korean embassy in Kazakhstan is cooperating with local police to investigate the incident.
The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has selected a contingent of 50 boxers, including Olympic-bound Preeti, to represent India at the upcoming ASBC Asian U22 & Youth Boxing Championship 2024 in Astana, Kazakhstan. The tournament will take place from April 27th to May 7th and will feature over 400 boxers from more than 24 countries competing in 25 weight categories. Among the selected boxers are former youth world champion and 2022 Asian elite boxing championship gold medallist Alfiya Pathan, reigning youth world champions Devika Ghorpade and Vishvanath Suresh, and senior national champions Prachi, Akash Gorkha, and Jugnoo. The U-22 squad will include 13 male boxers and 12 female boxers, while the youth squad will also have 13 male boxers and 12 female boxers. The boxers were selected through highly competitive trials conducted by the BFI at the Army Institute of Sports Pune and the NCOE Rohtak. The BFI Secretary General, Hemanta Kumar Kalita, expressed confidence in the team and wished them all the best in the tournament.
