ASTANA – Representatives of the Tourism Industry Committee of the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies, the Kazakhstan Industry Development Institute and representatives of the tourism industry at the end of November discussed the master plan currently under development for expanding tourism in Astana in light of EXPO 2017. International consulting company Horwart HTL and French urban planning company Arte Charpentier are also involved in preparing the master plan.
“We have already developed the financial, marketing and investment plans, a programme for improving the competitiveness of destinations, a model for their management and an action plan. The final version of the master plan for tourism development in the capital will be presented at the end of December,” Karlygash Altayeva, director of the Centre for the Tourism Industry of the Kazakhstan Industry Development Institute, said.
Director General of Horwart HTL Miroslav Dragicevic said because of the upcoming EXPO 2017, Astana should promote itself in the global tourism market and increase its attractiveness for visitors and residents. The master plan includes key investment components for building a water park in the city, a scientific and educational campus on the Yessil River waterfront, an ethnic and educational complex about steppe civilisation and an indoor market. The main idea is to connect the old and new parts of the city. Tourist areas, including Nursaya, Nurzhol, Waterfront, Old Town and the Museum Centre, have been defined.
Roza Assanbayeva, president of the Kazakhstan Tourist Association, said developing tourism in Astana will, in the near future, improve the quality of life in the city, with more bridges, galleries and walking and biking trails, and also make it more convenient for residents.
The EXPO is expected to spur the development of tourism and the continued use of EXPO structures to attract tourists is of special importance. Nearby attractions such as the Korgalzhyn, Karkaralinsk and Bayanaul national parks and the Borovoye resort area are also planned to be promoted and used during EXPO 2017.
