Kazakhstan logs 64% in tourist arrivals from China
According to the eQonaq statistics system, over 122,000 Chinese tourists visited Kazakhstan in the first 10 months of this year, a 64% growth from last year’s figure of 78,515, Kazinform News Agency cites the press service of the Tourism Committee of the Kazakh Tourism and Sport Ministry.
The growing number of tourist arrivals is attributable to a visa-free travel agreement Kazakhstan and China signed last November. Visa-free travelers can stay in both countries up to 30 days.
Special attention is given to promotion Kazakhstan in China under the Year of Tourism this year. China’s major cities hosted over 30 large-scale events to promote travel opportunities of Kazakhstan.
Growth in tourist arrivals from China is an important indicator of efficient interaction of the countries in tourism. Introduction of a visa-free regime and increase in the number of flights enabled Kazakhstan to become more easily accessible and attractive for Chinese tourists, said Nurtas Karipbayev, Chairman of the Tourism Committee.
Earlier it was reported that in September, Uzbekistan was the leading source country of foreign arrivals to Kazakhstan with 40,452 tourists. Russia was put second with 34,650 tourists and China – third with 15,868 arrivals. The country’s administrative centers and western regions remain the most popular destinations among tourists.