Kazakhstan sees record surge in foreign tourists Amid World Nomad Games

The Kazakh Ministry of Tourism and Sports has announced that Kazakhstan experienced an unprecedented surge in international tourism in early September 2024.

Kazakhstan welcomed 597,000 foreign tourists from September 1 to 13, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

Key drivers behind this influx include the fifth World Nomad Games Astana 2024 and a concert by renowned Kazakh singer Dimash Kudaibergen. These events drew attention from guests across 89 countries, significantly boosting the number of international tourists. Kazakh Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sports Yerzhan Yerkinbayev said that the primary countries contributing to the influx of foreign tourists, besides neighbouring states, include China, India, Türkiye, Germany, and the US.

"Over 33,000 tourists arrived from China, more than 6,000 tourists from India, over 4,000 tourists from Germany, and around 2,000 tourists from the US," he noted.

Yerkinbayev also highlighted a significant number of tourists from South Korea, Azerbaijan, Mongolia, and the UK. The fifth World Nomad Games, an international cultural and sporting event, attracted over 250,000 attendees to the Ethno Village and the games, according to the organising committee.

The fifth World Nomad Games were held in Astana, Kazakhstan's capital from September 8 to 13. During this week-long event, competitions spanned 21 kinds of sports, daily cultural programmes took place in the "Universe of Nomads" Ethno Village, and a scientific and practical conference titled "Nomads: History, Knowledge, Lessons" was conducted. Approximately 2,500 participants from 89 countries took part.

The Ethno Village, set up near the Hippodrome "Qazanat," hosted over 100 cultural events, including concerts, craft fairs, exhibitions, and competitions. 

A total of 97 medal sets were awarded, with Kazakhstan leading the medal tally with 112 medals (43 gold, 32 silver, 37 bronze). Kyrgyzstan followed in second place with 65 medals (19 gold, 21 silver, 25 bronze), while Uzbekistan secured third place with 49 medals (12 gold, 12 silver, 25 bronze).

Over 100 vehicles were used for transportation, and approximately 1,600 volunteers assisted participants and guests throughout the Games.

By Naila Huseynova