Almaty will host Kazakhstan International Travel Fair from April 22
Astana, Kazakhstan: The Kazakhstan government is planning to use Kazakhstan International Travel Fair (KITF) as kick starter of Astana Expo 2017 by showcasing investment opportunities in travel, hospitality and tourism sectors during the 15th KITF scheduled to be held from April 22.
Two-days KITF will be held at Atakent Kazakhstan Centre of Business Cooperation in Almaty.
The Tourism Master Plan of Kazakhstan 2020 has already been showcased at ITB Berlin this year, offering incentives to international tourism, travel and hotels sectors to invest in Kazakhstan. Oil rich central Asian state has 82% dependency over oil and gas exports but is compelled to find new avenues of investments after meltdown oil and gas industry world over. Kazakhstan reviewed its budget and on-going infrastructure projects right after dip of world oil prices because its ambitious project of Expo Astana 2017 is also hit by new financial realities. Expo Astana 2017 involved huge infrastructure developments by the end of 2016 to cater estimated 2 million visitors but private sector is shy to invest in this project as bank financing rules have also been changed in Kazakhstan and now tourism development is getting top priorities by economic experts of government.
“Tourism is seen as a priority industry and indicator of sustained economic development everywhere in the world. Kazakhstan also attaches great importance to the development of tourism and considers it a vital industry, which is evidenced by the country’s tourism development plans, which have been laid out until 2020. These plans were approved by the government of Kazakhstan in 2014 and will help prepare the country for EXPO 2017”, an official in Astana while talking to Dispatch News Desk news agency.
There is no doubt that international as well as domestic tourism is expanding in Kazakhstan and tourism sector increased from 4.3 million to 7.7 million, recording 80 percent upward trends.
It may be mentioned that KITF is the largest tourism exhibition in the region after Tashkent International Tourism Festival and it provides opportunities to promote the image of Kazakhstan around the world and expand commercial ties. The exhibition also serves to define tourism trends for the coming year.
Around 500 companies from 40 countries and regions are expected to participate in KITF and Malaysian companies are also investing in this event this year as sponsors of the KITF 2015 include Tourism Board of Malaysia as partner country. KITF, being an important marketing tool for presenting new travel packages, is a place to learn about the latest developments in the industry through its specialised business programme.
