E Kazakhstan to evolve into medical tourism hub

East Kazakhstan with abundant natural resources and world-class medical facilities sets a task to become a medical tourism hub, Kazinform News Agency reports.

Addressing a briefing at the central communications service on Monday East Kazakhstan governor Yermek Kosherbayev said the region has all chances to take the lead in attracting tourists and patients not only from neighboring regions but also from abroad.

The region boasts unique pantotherapy, the brand mark of East Kazakhstan. There is also a contemporary cancer center in the region to treat patients from around the world. It provides cancer screening programs on a par with South Korean facilities at a lower price.

The governor said it is a great opportunity for the region to become not only a medical hub but also provide patients with high-quality affordable treatment.

Besides, the region is working on a project on a transboundary tourist route between Lake Markakol in Kazakhstan and China’s Kanas Lake. It also plans to open a new checkpoint and build a road to connect China and one of the most beautiful natural sites in Central Asia.

The route is expected to cut travel between the two countries, and open new horizons for the development of the region’s economy and tourism. Up to 10 million people visit China’s Kanas every year. The governor said they will also get a chance to visit Lake Markakol, a pearl of the region.

Experts say medical tourism and the development of infrastructure will help East Kazakhstan rank among the world’s top regions for tourism and key medical tourism destinations.

Kosherbayev said that over 12.3 billion tenge was invested in the development of tourism industry in 2023, and the number of tourists who visited the region until the end of September this year increased to 370,000 people. Additionally, the volume of services rendered reached 5.9 billion tenge.