Astana Attracts Record Tourism Investment as Visitor Numbers Continue to Rise

Astana has solidified its position as a leading tourism destination within Kazakhstan, attracting a record 438.3 billion tenge (US$840 million) in tourism investment in 2025. City officials reported that this figure represents the highest investment among all regions in the country, driven by ongoing expansion of tourism infrastructure and intensified international promotional efforts.

The momentum in tourism investment has continued to build, with the first five months of 2026 seeing a significant surge. During this period, tourism-related investments reached 250 billion tenge (US$480 million), nearly doubling compared to the same period last year. This rapid growth follows substantial investments in previous years, including 272.7 billion tenge in 2024 and 201.4 billion tenge in 2023, indicating a sustained upward trend in the sector.

“

Over the next two to three years, we plan to build 24 hotels, including four- and five-star properties operated by international hotel brands such as Swissôtel, Holiday Inn and Wyndham Garden.

Visitor numbers are also on the rise, with Astana hosting 1.6 million tourists in 2025, of which more than 380,000 were international travelers. The first quarter of 2026 alone saw 352,200 visitors, a 12% year-on-year increase, including 67,900 international tourists. Key foreign visitor markets include Russia, China, Türkiye, Germany, and the United States, with notable growth from Uzbekistan and the UAE.

To accommodate this growth, Astana is actively developing its tourism infrastructure. Currently, 33 tourism investment projects worth 265.7 billion tenge are underway. Future plans include the construction of 24 new hotels, featuring international brands like Swissôtel, Holiday Inn, and Wyndham Garden. The city is also focusing on eco-tourism, with projects like the Les Eco Park, and enhancing roadside services and recreational facilities. International promotion has been stepped up through participation in global tourism exhibitions and targeted roadshows, leading to numerous agreements with foreign partners.

“

In 2026, Astana was presented at the largest tourism exhibitions in Germany, China and South Korea. We also organized roadshows in Moscow and Russia’s border cities.