In January-September 2023, the following dynamics of the main indicators of the tourism sector is noted in the region:
- the volume of services provided by accommodation facilities amounted to 4,711.9 million tenge, an increase of 23.5% compared to the same period in 2022.
- 281.2 thousand citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan used the services of accommodation facilities, an increase of 13.7% compared to the same period in 2022.
- the number of foreign tourists amounted to 14.7 thousand people, an increase of 16.6% compared to the same period in 2022.
- investments in fixed assets in the tourism sector amount to 9,457.0 million tenge, an increase of 33.0 compared to the same period in 2022%
There are 1,667 jobs in the tourism industry of the region, including 1,393 permanent and 274 temporary.
Tourist sites. There are 3 sanatoriums, 19 pantotherapy clinics, 4 ski resorts, 84 hotels, 241 recreation centers in the region.
Beach tourism is developing dynamically on the coasts of the Bukhtarma reservoir and the Sibinsk lakes, which have the potential of up to 400 thousand tourists per season. There are more than 800 rivers in the region, the total length of which is over 10 thousand km. In addition, there are more than 900 lakes, and a large number of small lakes, reservoirs, of which the Bukhtarma reservoir is the largest. There are 142 recreation centers located along the reservoir in the Altai, Samar and Ulan districts.
The East Kazakhstan region has the highest duration of snow cover preservation in Kazakhstan. Ski tourism is typical in Glubokovsky, Altai districts and in Ridder. There are 4 ski resorts in the region with more than 20 ski slopes with a total length of 30-40 km, with a height difference of up to 1,500 m, and a length of descents of up to 5 km.
Ecological tourism. There are 24 nature protection zones of national importance in the region, the area of which is more than 1,723,072 hectares. The largest among them are: Katon-Karagai State National Nature Park, Markakolsky Nature Reserve, Western Altai Nature Reserve.
Katon-Karagai State National Natural Park is a complex with an area of more than 6,400 square kilometers. In 2014, this National Park was included in the list of UNESCO Cultural Heritage sites. 14 sightseeing routes have been developed in the park.
The Markakol Nature Reserve covers an area of 713 sq. km., 2 tourist routes are organized on the territory. The fauna of the reserve includes 55 species of animals, 250 species of birds, grayling, char, minnow and lake uskuch (lenok) are found in the waters of Lake Markakol.
The West Altai Nature Reserve covers an area of 861 sq. km. The reserve was created to preserve a unique natural zone - the black taiga. Forests in the reserve are represented by other natural areas: mountain meadows, tundra, there are glaciers. There are also 5 tourist routes on the territory.
Health and wellness tourism is one of the most sought-after areas of development of the tourism industry. So, in East Kazakhstan, there are 19 pantotherapy clinics, most of which are concentrated in the Katon-Karagai district. Our region is a leader in this direction, the number of marals and deer in the region is more than 8 thousand heads.
Cultural and educational tourism. The territory of East Kazakhstan is the center of the origin of the Turkic civilization. There are more than 300 historical monuments in the region.
Also, an archaeological monument is unique, which has no analogues in Kazakhstan – the Berel mounds (Valley of the Kings), located in the Katon-Karagai district.
New measures of state support in the field of tourism.
Since 2022, 7 new measures of state support in the field of tourism development have entered into force. 4 of them are carried out by the Department of Entrepreneurship and Industrial and Innovative Development of East Kazakhstan Region.
- reimbursement of 10% of the cost of entrepreneurs' expenses for the construction and reconstruction of tourist facilities (https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/V2100026403);
- reimbursement of 25% of the cost of purchasing vehicles with a capacity of at least 8 seats, not including the driver's seat (https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/V2100026380 );
- reimbursement of 10% of the cost of construction of roadside service facilities (https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/V2100026375 );
- subsidizing part of the cost of maintaining sanitary and hygienic units (https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/V2100025801).
Events in the field of tourism industry. Image events for the promotion and popularization of tourism are held in the region on an ongoing basis.
On May 5, 2023, the official opening of the tourist information center was held in Ulken-Naryn village of Katon-Karagai district, which provides consulting and organizational support to tourists in the selection of hotels, recreation centers, guest houses, etc.
At the same time, tour operators with the support of the Department of Entrepreneurship and Industrial and Innovative Development of East Kazakhstan region
On April 23, 2023, an event was held to climb Mount Kyzyl-Tas, dedicated to the 105th anniversary of Kasym Kaisenov, a native of Ulan district, a Soviet and Kazakh writer, as well as a national hero of the Republic of Kazakhstan. More than 200 tourists participated in the ascent, including 20 Kazakhstani bloggers. This event was held for the first time, and it is planned to hold it on an annual basis in the future.
In the period from August 21 to August 25 this year, National Geographic Qazaqstan conducted an expedition around the region. As part of the trip, such places were visited as:
Kiin Kerish, Cape Shekelmes, Lake Zaisan, Lake Markakol, Rakhmanov keys, Lake Yazevoye, Bukhtarma reservoir.
From August 30 to September 1 this year, a visit of foreign
journalists – finalists of the contest "Kazakhstan through the eyes of foreign media" was held. The guests came from 7 countries: Uzbekistan, Spain, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Azerbaijan, Canada, Great Britain. In the program of the press tour, journalists visited
RSU "Katon-Karagai State National Natural Park", State Historical and Cultural Museum-reserve "Berel",
Rakhmanov keys and sights of Ust-Kamenogorsk.
From September 21 to 26 of this year, the filming of an educational TV program about travel "Heads and Tails. Kazakhs" in the Katon-Karagai district. The video shooting was organized thanks to joint work with local executive bodies in such tourist destinations as: Osinovsky Pass, Rakhmanov keys, Old Austrian road, etc. The issue will be released in the second quarter of 2024 on the TV channel "Jibek Joly".
In the period from November 23 to 25, it is planned to hold the event "Burkitshi Festival" in the village of Bozanbai, Ulan district, with the invitation of berkutchi from other regions of the republic, as well as foreign representatives (Russia, China, Mongolia, Slovakia, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Spain). Within the framework of the event, it is planned to hold 3 types of competitions: "burkit salu", "sunkar salu", "tazy zhugirtu", with the installation of 7 yurts, as well as organize an entertainment program for festival participants.
Every year, events are held to open and close the winter tourist season. On December 16, 2023, the event
"Opening of the winter tourist season" was held at the Nurtau ski resort.