According to the data of the Department of the Bureau of National Statistics following the results of the 3rd quarter of 2025, for the period from January to September 2025:
The number of tourists amounted to 365.5 thousand people (an increase of 9.4%, 3rd quarter of 2024 – 334.2 thousand people), including domestic tourists – 351.0 thousand people (an increase of 9.6%, 3rd quarter of 2024 – 320.2 thousand people) and foreign tourists – 14.5 thousand people (an increase of 3.8%, 3rd quarter of 2024 – 14.0 thousand people).
To date, there are 405 accommodation facilities in the region, namely – hotels, inns, guest houses, recreation centers, etc. According to this indicator, the region took 2nd place in the Republic, surpassed only by the Jetisu region with an indicator of 409 units.
The simultaneous capacity at the moment is 21,692 bed-places, with an increase of 1,316 units (an increase of 6.5%, 3rd quarter of 2024 – 20,376 units). In terms of simultaneous capacity of the room inventory, East Kazakhstan occupies 3rd place in the Republic, after the Jetisu region and the city of Almaty.
The volume of tourism services provided by accommodation facilities amounted to 7.8 billion tenge with an increase of 23.4% (3rd quarter of 2024 – 6.3 billion tenge).
The volume of investment in the fixed capital of the tourism industry (14 OKEDs of tourism) for 2025 amounted to 21.6 billion tenge with an increase of 70.5% compared to the 2024 indicator (2024 – 14.9 billion tenge). This includes 11.2 billion tenge invested in the provision of accommodation services, showing an increase of 96.5% (2024 – 5.7 billion tenge).
Investment projects in the field of tourism. In order to create a favorable climate for the development of the tourism industry in the region, investment projects in the field of tourism (under 14 OKEDs) are being implemented.
At the moment, negotiations have been held with the companies TOR’RE and Accor New East Europe on the construction of the Wellness Resort hotel complex in the Katon-Karagay district in compliance with international standards of the hotel industry and the integration of the rich Kazakh hospitable culture. The project will be implemented using private investment with the support of the Akimat of the East Kazakhstan region and JSC "Kazakh Tourism".
Projects completed in 2025:
Construction of the hotel and restaurant complex "Dostyk" in the town of Altay;
Reconstruction of the "Bayan" hotel in the village of Katon-Karagay;
Reconstruction of the Bearlog hotel.
Implementation of projects planned until 2028:
Construction of a hotel with a restaurant in the city of Ridder;
Reconstruction of the Ridder Resort Hotel;
Expansion of the "Primorsk" recreation center;
Expansion of the existing tourist base Eco-hotel "Zarechye";
Construction of the "Wellness Resort" sanatorium and health complex;
Construction of the Hilton Garden Inn multifunctional complex.
New measures of state support in the field of tourism. In 2026, subsidizing is carried out for 12 applications.
Transport and logistics infrastructure.
East Kazakhstan region possesses significant tourism potential, largely depending on the level of development of the automobile road infrastructure. Transport accessibility of tourist sites is a key condition for the growth of domestic and foreign tourism.
In 2025, the repair of local transport infrastructure covered 355 km of roads and streets in settlements. At the same time, there is a redistribution of priorities towards capital investments, including:
medium and current repairs were carried out on 355 km of roads and streets (regional – 191 km, district – 90 km, streets of settlements – 74 km);
expenditures for the maintenance and quality control of automobile roads and streets were maintained at a stable level.
Regarding the development of tourist routes, 170 km of regional automobile roads were covered in 2025.
In the current year, it is planned to begin repairs on more than 100 km of regional roads along tourist directions.
According to the tourism map of the East Kazakhstan region:
Katon-Karagay SNNP (Lake Yazevoye):
Reconstruction of the bridge over the Belaya Berel River is underway. The reconstruction project was developed in 2023. Work on the installation of 3 supports in the water part has been completed; the installation of 2 supports is planned for the current year.
To the Sibinsky Lakes:
medium repair of the "Vasilyevka – Bozanbay" automobile road on the km 0–16.9 section continues. Work on laying the asphalt concrete pavement has been completed; the installation of a bituminized crushed stone layer is provided for this year.
medium repair of the "Vasilyevka – Bozanbay – Algabas – Targyn" automobile road on the km 0-22+690 section (length of 13.3 km) continues. Work on the installation of a double-layer asphalt concrete pavement on a 10.3 km section has been completed. Completion of the remaining 3 km is planned for this year.
On the approach to the municipal beach of Lake Shalkar, an asphalt concrete layer with a length of 600 m has been laid, and a parking area for 100 cars has been equipped.
To Lake Markakol:
In accordance with the instruction of the Head of State, it is planned to open the tourist route "Lake Kanas – Lake Markakol" with the organization of a tourist automobile crossing near the "Maraldy" border post (Baikaba, PRC). The total length of the route is 88 km. Work is being carried out jointly with the MFA and MT to determine positions and the point of opening the checkpoint with the PRC.
By the instruction of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, O.A. Bektenov, medium repair of a 60 km long automobile road from the village of Markakol to the tourist site – Lake Markakol – is planned as a key element in ensuring the transport accessibility of the tourist zone.
Reference:
Due to the complex terrain and significant altitudes of the route, careful collection of initial data is required, including the study of soil bearing capacity, determining the need for drainage of melt and rain water, as well as ensuring road safety during the installation of asphalt concrete pavement and other related elements.
Currently, the issue of involving a design institute for the development of estimate documentation for the medium repair is being worked out.
"Rakhmanovskie Klyuchi" Sanatorium:
In 2025, medium repair of the republican automobile road began on the section from the village of Berel to the sanatorium with a length of 13 km. Full completion of the work is planned for the current year.
Bukhtarma Reservoir:
To the coast of the Bukhtarma Reservoir in the Samar district:
Regional automobile roads with a total length of 197 km lead to the coast. The road surface is asphalt concrete; the technical condition in certain sections is assessed as satisfactory.
In 2025: medium repair of the "Kokpekty-Samarskoye-Vasilyevskoye crossing" road km 91-99 was completed. Repair of the "Ust-Kamenogorsk-Targyn-Samarskoye" road km 53-67 (14 km) (carried over to 2026) and "Kokpekty-Samarskoye-Vasilyevskoye crossing" 99-120 (21 km) continues.
In 2026, it is planned to begin medium repair of the "Kokpekty – Samarskoye – Vasilyevskaya crossing" automobile road on the section km 120–150 (to the village of Sarybel) with completion of the work in 2027.
To the coast from the side of the Ulan district (v. Manat):
A district automobile road "Approach to the v. Manat" with a length of 40 km leads there. Medium repair with the installation of asphalt concrete pavement on the km 0-20 section is required. Repair work is planned for 2026–2027.
To the coast from the side of the Altay and Ulken Naryn districts:
Since 2023, phased asphalt paving of the automobile road has been carried out. In 2025, medium repair of the "Oktyabrskaya crossing – Altayka – Novo-Khayruzovka" automobile road sections at km 10–25 and km 25–36.4 with a total length of 26.4 km was completed.
Ski cluster:
Glubokovsky district (Altai Alps):
On the regional automobile road "Ust-Kamenogorsk-Gornaya Ulbinka-Severnoye" km 0-20, widening of the roadway in certain sections, repair of small bridges and culverts is required. To date, estimate documentation is being developed.
City of Ridder:
A republican automobile road "Ust-Kamenogorsk – Ridder" with a total length of 105 km leads to the city. Medium repair has been carried out since 2024: 30 km have been put into operation; completion of the remaining 75 km is planned for 2026.
Currently, repair work is being carried out on the access roads:
Lake Shybyndykol:
Current repair was carried out in 2025: preparation of the foundation and installation of culverts were completed. Currently, estimate documentation is being developed for medium repair with the installation of asphalt concrete pavement on a 4.6 km long section.
Lake Dubygalinskoye:
Approach to the lake through the village of Gagarino: road surface repair (2 km) is planned. On the section from the village of Gagarino to Lake Dubygaly (11 km), estimate documentation is being developed for current repair of the foundation, followed by the development of estimate documentation for medium repair with the installation of asphalt concrete pavement.
Lake Ayyr:
In 2026, it is planned to conduct current repair of the foundation, after which estimate documentation will be developed for medium repair with the installation of asphalt concrete pavement (5 km).
Kiin-Kerish Tract:
Located near the regional automobile road "Kurchum-Kalzhyr" at 79 km, in 2025, medium repair of the "Kurchum-Kalzhyr" road at km 75-91, 106-121 (31) was completed. In 2026, it is planned to begin medium repair of the "Kurchum-Kalzhyr" road at km 45-60.
Also, a significant impetus to the development of tourism in the region was given by the decision of the Head of State on the construction of airports in the Katon-Karagay district and the city of Zaysan. The construction of the airports is being carried out according to the approved schedules.
Mobile internet provision.
Current state of communication provision:
According to the results of the analysis (out of 29 locations, voice communication (2G) is available in 22, and internet (3/4G) is present in 20 locations), which constitutes 68.9% provision according to the "Tourism Map of the East Kazakhstan Region".
Internet is absent in 9 locations; provision is planned in stages until the end of 2026.
In the Katon-Karagay State National Natural Park, communication and internet are absent; as an alternative solution, the Department proposes the installation of a "Starlink" satellite terminal, with the subsequent possibility of developing a local network from the terminal to each cabin. The Department sent a letter to JSC "RCTS" regarding the possibility of allocating 15 sets for organizing coverage of tourist locations. Currently, the sets are ready for dispatch; financial issues need to be resolved (determine the payer for the monthly tariff).
Sibinsky Lakes of the Ulan district:
In the recreation area adjacent to Lakes Sadyrkol and Karakol, internet and communication are absent; installation of "Starlink" satellite terminals is planned.
On the territory of the "Rakhmanovskie Klyuchi" Sanatorium in the Katon-Karagay district, 2G voice communication is available, internet is absent. The communication operator "Mobile Telecom Service" LLP (Tele2/Altel brand) has planned the construction of a base station by the end of 2026 (UK 5054). At the same time, the issue with JSC "RCTS" on organizing a "One Web" general access point by the end of 2025, at the expense of the Republican budget, is being worked out.
In the territory of the Ridder mountain cluster, internet and communication are absent. The communication operator "Mobile Telecom Service" LLP (Tele2/Altel brand) has planned the construction of a base station by the end of 2026. At the same time, the issue with JSC "RCTS" on organizing a "One Web" general access point by the end of 2025, at the expense of the Republican budget, is being worked out.
In the recreation area adjacent to Lake Shybyndykol, Ulan district, internet and communication are absent; installation of "Starlink" satellite terminals is planned.
In the recreation area of the "Kiin Kerish" tract, Kurchum district, internet and communication are absent; installation of "Starlink" satellite terminals is planned.
In the village of Poporechnoye, Ridder city administration, internet and communication are absent. The Department is working out the issue with JSC "RCTS" on organizing a "One Web" general access point by the end of 2025, at the expense of the Republican budget.
In the village of Ornek, Katon-Karagay district, 2G voice communication is available, internet is absent. Providing the village is in the obligations of the operator "Ayultelecom" LLP until the end of 2025; however, there is a risk of non-fulfillment of obligations; currently, the RSU "Interregional Communication Inspection" of the CC MDI&CD RK is working on monitoring the quality of fulfillment of the operator's obligations. At the same time, as an alternative solution for provision, the installation of a "Starlink" satellite terminal is planned.
The village of Topkain, Katon-Karagay district, is an object of rural tourism; since June 2025, a 4G base station has been connected by the communication operator "Kar-Tel" LLP (Beeline brand). However, near the village at a distance of 2 km, the Resort&Spa tourist facility is located; due to the geographical location of the hotel in a depression, there is no direct visibility of the signal from the AMS in the village of Topkain to the hotel; as an alternative solution for provision, the installation of a "Starlink" satellite terminal is planned.
Based on the above, the main problem areas are natural parks and protected zones (due to construction restrictions), the remoteness of territories without power supply, as well as economic disadvantage for communication operators (tourist seasonality). To solve these problems, interaction with communication operators continues to cover all 29 locations; "Starlink" satellite communication with the subsequent organization of a local network for installing Wi-Fi routers is also being considered.
Events in the tourism industry. The event calendar of the East Kazakhstan region for 2026 is a structured plan of key events aimed at developing tourism potential, international cooperation, and popularizing an active lifestyle. The schedule includes international, republican, and regional level events distributed across four quarters.
In the winter period (January – February), the main attention is paid to sports disciplines and ethno-cultural festivals, including the annual "Survivors" run in Ridder, sport fishing competitions in the Ulken Naryn district, as well as round tables on the development of creative tourism in Ust-Kamenogorsk.
The spring cycle of events (March – May) is focused on the international promotion of the region through participation in specialized exhibitions in Berlin ("ITB Berlin") and Almaty ("KITF-2026"), as well as on conducting expeditions within the framework of the "Greater Altai" regional Council. In May, the official opening of the summer tourist season is planned at the Sibinsky Lakes coast.
The summer season (June – August) is characterized by high intensity of event tourism. It is planned to conduct information tours for the National Geographic channel, maral breeding festivals, national sports games, as well as a number of large musical and ethnographic forums, such as "Altai – the Golden Cradle of the Turkic World" and "Golden Turgusun". The sports block is represented by marathons, bike races, and an international paragliding championship.
The autumn-winter period (September – December) includes the implementation of significant investment and image projects. The key event is the International Sports Festival "Shygys Salburyny - 2026" and the III Meeting of the Economic Council of the Greater Altai regions. The completion of the annual cycle provides for the opening of the winter tourist season at the mountain ski complexes of the region and the holding of cultural and mass events within the framework of winter festivals in the cities of Ridder and Ust-Kamenogorsk.