Astana (TDI): Kazakhstan has officially launched the Year of China Tourism with a high-profile ceremony in the capital Astana.
The event marked a fresh chapter in Kazakhstan-China relations, drawing senior officials including Tourism and Sports Minister Yerbol Myrzabosynov and China’s Culture and Tourism Minister Sun Yeli.
The ceremony comes just months after the successful Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China, held in 2024.
That initiative, jointly launched by Presidents Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Xi Jinping, helped boost cross-border travel and deepen cultural connections.
Speaking at the event, Minister Myrzabosynov said tourism had become a central pillar of people-to-people diplomacy between the two countries.
Read More: Railway Transport Between Kazakhstan and China Continues to Grow
“We’re building bridges, not just between destinations, but between cultures,” he said.
As part of this year’s plan, Kazakhstan will expand the “Welcome Chinese” program to better accommodate visitors from China.
Steps include increasing Chinese-language signage, offering familiar amenities in hotels, and launching tour services tailored to Chinese preferences.
Read More: Kazakhstan’s Terminal in Xi’an Boosts China-Europe Trade
According to the Tourism and Sports Ministry, the number of Chinese visitors surged to 655,000 in 2024, up from 367,000 in 2023, a jump of nearly 80 percent.
As both countries prepare for a busy year of cultural events, tours, and exhibitions, the campaign is expected to deepen bilateral ties and contribute to Kazakhstan’s long-term tourism goals.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
