Kazakh-Azerbaijani Tourism Forum Held in Baku
On July 23, 2024, the Kazakh-Azerbaijani Tourism Forum took place at the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Azerbaijan. The event aimed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in tourism and boost tourist exchanges between the two countries.
The forum was attended by over 70 participants, including the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan, Alim Bayel, President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, Aktoty Raimkulova, and representatives from various organizations such as NC KazakhTourism JSC, the State Tourism Agency, the Azerbaijan Tourism Bureau, AirAstana and FlyArystan airlines, and the Associations of Tourist Guides of both countries. Additionally, officials from the tourism departments of Almaty, Shymkent, and the Mangistau region, along with major travel companies, journalists, and popular Azerbaijani bloggers, were present.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Alim Bayel emphasized that Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are strategic partners and allies, with cooperation growing in all sectors, including tourism. He highlighted the increasing interest of Kazakhstani tourists in Azerbaijan and vice versa.
Bayel noted that, according to 2023 statistics, Kazakhstan accounted for every second tourist from Central Asia visiting Azerbaijan. Last year, 58,000 Kazakh tourists traveled to Azerbaijan, and from January to June 2024, over 38,000 Kazakh tourists visited the country. Kazakhstan ranks third in terms of tourist flow growth to Azerbaijan, following China and India.
During the forum, representatives from Kazakhstan’s tourism industry showcased popular tourist destinations in the country and highlighted its unique and picturesque landscapes. They also provided detailed information about the upcoming 5th World Nomad Games, scheduled to be held in Astana from September 8-14.
The event featured a lottery organized by AirAstana and FlyArystan airlines, where winners received free air tickets from Azerbaijan to Kazakhstan.
Additionally, a B2B session was conducted for travel agency heads from both countries, culminating in the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the Associations of Tourist Guides of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.
It’s noteworthy that in July 2024, Azerbaijani travel bloggers embarked on their first tour of Kazakhstan, visiting Almaty, Shymkent, Turkestan, and the Almaty region. During the forum, these bloggers shared their positive impressions of Kazakhstan, and participants expressed confidence that such events will enhance the flow of tourists to the country.
