Kazakhstan has introduced a system of guarantee of the rights of citizens in the field of outbound tourism, according to Director of the Department of Tourism Industry of Kazakh Ministry for Investments and Development Marat Igali.
“On October 18, 2016 the government of Kazakhstan approved draft regulations governing the transport of Kazakh tourists in cases of unfair performance or non-performance of duties by tour operators,” he wrote on his page in Facebook.
He also noted that in recent years, the cases increased, when due to unscrupulous tour operators Kazakh tourists stayed in foreign countries without paid accommodations and/or a return ticket.
But after governmental regulations enter into force, such incidents will be promptly resolved. The Corporate Fund Turistіk Kamkor will take measures for the transport of Kazakh tourists from the country of temporary stay back to Kazakhstan.
The system requires the mandatory bank guarantee: for tour operators – 5,000 MCI (monthly calculated index), which is US$31,937. For charterers the amount is 15,000 MCI (US$95,811).
To help Kazakh tourists to come back, there is a special account, which is formed from payments in the amount of 0.5 MCI (US$3.19) from each tourist product generated by the tour operator or charterer. This amount will be mandatory to pay when buying a tourist package.
Earlier, the projects were considered and approved by the Tourism Council, the Interdepartmental Commission on the Regulation of Business Activity, Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan and accredited associations.
“In this regard, the Department of Tourism Industry of the Ministry for Investments and Development of Kazakhstan calls for attention of citizens of Kazakhstan on the need to clarify information on the availability of the contract concluded between the tour operator that has formed a tourism product and Corporate Fund Turistіk Kamkor while purchasing tourism products,” wrote Igali.
These innovations will be put into effect upon expiration of ten calendar days after their first official publication.
