Have you ever been to Kazakhstan? Kazakhstan is one of the biggest countries in central Asia with about 20 million inhabitants. The former republic of the Soviet Union is now rapidly developing, supported by the grooving mining values of black gold, gas and manganese ore. The tourism sector started growing since 2017 with the formation of the Tourism Committee, integrated in the Ministry of Culture and Sports. Over 800 tour operators and 3 000 travel agencies were operating on Kazakhstan market in the beginning of 2020.
This year is ending with the conservative hope to re-establish the market by the end of 2022. KazUnion, one of the two biggest tour operators in Kazakhstan, has organized the first after the pandemic offline b2b event — Travel Academy Workshop. On September 23 — 24, 2021, over 30 representatives from the UAE, Turkey, Egypt, Maldives, and Georgia — hoteliers, national and regional tourism offices — took part in two-day workshop in Nur-Sultan (ex-Astana) and Almaty presenting their facilities to travel agents. Over 150 in Nur-Sultan and more than 300 travel agents in Almaty came to the workshop to listen to the latest news of the resorts, talk about the coming season, and get info about the destinations. Department of Tourism Development of Ajman has first presented their online-course for travel agents. Regardless the fact that workshop in Almaty was on the same day as the Luxury Travel Mart, the participation rate was very high, as well as great interest of agents in new travel products and services.
Dariya Bushmakina, Director of Sales & Marketing of Mercure Hotel Dubai Barsha Heights (UAE): I would like to thank the organizers of the Kazakhstan Workshop, Kazunion and Rustar, for this great event and for introducing hotel to the top travel agencies in Kazakhstan and CIS market. The event was well organized from the beginning till the end, and the outcome was overwhelming. We managed to build a new relationship with some travel agencies and meet our current business partners. Overall the result of this event was great for hotels, especially our hotel, and we are looking forward to participating again in it.
Natalia Klimenok, Representative in CIS of Department of Tourism Development of Ajman (UAE): I was surprised by storming interest and deep knowledge of the emirate by coming agents. The agencies welcomed the Ajman presentations enthusiastically, which shows some tourism potential in the country.
Established in 2009, KazUnion recently operates on 5 destinations: the UAE, Turkey, Egypt, Maldives, and Georgia; although before the pandemic tour operator worked with almost 30 outgoing destinations. The general manager Mr. Kuanysh Baitursunov declares 100 000 clients per year.
According to the organisers, the next Travel Academy Workshop is planned for Spring 2022.
