Zhetysu region welcomed over 2 mln tourists in 2024

Akim (governor) of the Zhetysu region Beibit Issabayev highlighted that the region has witnessed an uptick in the number of tourists at the press briefing of the Central Communications Service, Kazinform News Agency reports.

“The region has seen a surge in tourism as a result of the infrastructure development work carried out, with over 2 million tourists visiting in 2024. In response to this growth, we have initiated the development of engineering infrastructure along the coast of Lake Alakol, including the construction of a sewerage system and electrical networks in Beskol-Akshi. All of this work should be accomplished within two years. To date, the reconstruction of the runway of the airport of Usharal, the highway “Taldykorgan-Usharal” has been carried out, the high-speed train “Talgo” has been launched. Currently, design and estimate documentation for the construction of an additional terminal is being developed in order to increase the capacity of Usharal airport from 50 to 125 passengers per hour,” the akim noted

According to him, the second factor influencing the growth of the region's tourism potential is Lake Balkhash. Of the 132-kilometer route to Balkhash, 122 kilometers have been completed, and the remaining 10 kilometers are scheduled to be fully operational before the start of the tourist season in 2025. In addition, engineering infrastructure is being developed along the lake's coast, and 2.2 billion tenge has been allocated from the national budget for 2024 for this purpose, with the project scheduled for completion by the end of next year.

“A design and estimate documentation for the construction of a ski and biathlon complex has been developed in order to develop ecological tourism, and an application for allocation of funds from the republican budget has been submitted. A total of 3.4 billion tenge have been allocated from the republican budget for the repair of the road to the Burhan-bulak waterfall for the next year. This year, the road to Lake Zhasylkol in Sarkand District has been fully repaired, and a new visitor center has been inaugurated in Topolevka village.

Earlier, the akim reported that the budget of the Zhetysu region increased 1.6 times in 2024.

He also noted that more than half of the electricity consumed in the region is generated by renewable power sources.