Development of tourism

Between April 24th and 26th of the current year, Almaty hosted the Kazakhstan International Tourism Fair (KITF), marking Romania's inaugural participation. Representing Romania was Corina Martin, Secretary General of the Federation of Employers in the Romanian Hotel Industry (FPIOR) and Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan in Romania. The event attracted participants and visitors from various countries worldwide, serving as a pivotal platform for the exchange of experiences, ideas, and innovations within the tourism sector. Notably, 89% of the exhibitors were foreign entities, underscoring the fair's global importance.

During the event, meetings were conducted with Romanian tour operators who had previously undertaken informative tours of Kazakhstan in 2021, aimed at developing new tours and routes for upcoming years. Additionally, an official meeting was convened with representatives from SCAT Airlines to discuss the prospective launch of a direct flight service between Romania and Kazakhstan within the current year. This initiative enjoys the support of both Romanian and Kazakh authorities and is anticipated to bolster commercial and tourism relations between businesses in both nations while enhancing tourist traffic.

Presently, assessments are underway regarding the feasibility of utilizing Constanța and Bucharest airports for this new air service. Constanța holds particular significance as a pivotal node for cargo transport between the Caucasus region and Western Europe, thereby contributing to increased business travel between Kazakhstan and Romania.

Honorary Consul highlighted Kazakhstan's growing allure as a destination for Romanian tourists, particularly following Almaty's inclusion in The New York Times Travel's prestigious list of top destinations for 2024. Tour packages feature unique cultural excursions encompassing Astana and Almaty, offering travelers a distinctive cultural immersion.

Furthermore, Ms. Martin announced the forthcoming launch of a new tour named " Kazakhstan, Tomiris - the legendary queen of the Great Steppe", encompassing key tourist attractions in the two major Kazakh cities and their surrounding regions, spanning a duration of 8 to 10 days. The inaugural tour is scheduled for August of this year, with 22 Romanian tourists having already expressed interest.

In Romania, numerous travel agencies presently offer packages to Kazakhstan, including prominent names such as Mistral Tours, Eturia, Paralela 45, and Dal Travel. Turkish Airlines stands out among the most convenient flight options from Romania to Kazakhstan, operating routes from Bucharest and Constanța via Istanbul to Astana and Almaty.