Astana to Expect 1.7 Million Visitors in the Current Year
In the heart of Central Asia, Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan, is gearing up for a cultural extravaganza as it prepares to host the much-anticipated concerts of global icons, the Backstreet Boys (September 21) and Jennifer Lopez (August 1). These high-profile events are set to make a significant impact on Astana's tourism, culture, and economy.
The upcoming concerts are expected to attract a substantial number of tourists. Nearly 18,000 visitors are anticipated for Jennifer Lopez's concert, with similar or possibly higher numbers expected for the Backstreet Boys' event. This influx will boost demand for local services such as hotels, restaurants, transportation, and more [4]. Tourism companies have already launched concert-inclusive travel packages, indicating increased international tourist interest [2].
Astana and Almaty's emergence as venues for globally renowned artists like Jennifer Lopez, Backstreet Boys, Robbie Williams, Marilyn Manson, and others signifies a growing cultural vibrancy and international recognition for Kazakhstan's music scene. The concerts will likely enhance the city's cultural profile, foster local enthusiasm for diverse music genres, and encourage further cultural events [2][3].
The concert series is expected to generate significant economic benefits. Astana Concert, the organizer behind these events, projects over 1 billion tenge (about US$1.9 million) in tax revenue by the end of 2025 from more than 10 class A concerts scheduled over the next three years. This reflects a strong contribution to Kazakhstan’s creative economy [4]. The Backstreet Boys concert, fully privately funded, benefits from Ministry of Culture and Information assistance, underlining public-private cooperation in cultural investments [4].
To accommodate increased demand and ensure a high-quality experience, Almaty’s Central Stadium (venue for Jennifer Lopez’s concert) is undergoing modernization efforts to meet international standards, including renovations to restrooms and pedestrian access [2]. This infrastructure upgrade will contribute to longer-term venue quality improvements and capacity to host more global events.
Artyom Kvashuk, director of Astana tourism development center, stated that Astana is evolving beyond a political and business hub to become a vibrant cultural and event destination. Kvashuk mentioned that large-scale events, such as concerts, attract solvent tourists to the city and increase its international profile [1]. Such events, according to Kvashuk, have a multiplier effect, increasing hotel occupancy, restaurant visits, cultural site visits, attraction visits, and transport usage [1].
The increase in tourism in Astana is expected to continue, with a focus on making it a more culturally and event-focused destination. Last year, Astana hosted 128 international events, attracting 1.5 million tourists, including 350,000 foreigners. This year, more than 200 international events are planned, with a growing number of international guests [1].
In conclusion, Astana's hosting of Backstreet Boys and Jennifer Lopez concerts will significantly boost tourism, enhance cultural life with international artists, and contribute over US$1.9 million in tax revenue. These events also prompt improvements in local event infrastructure, making Astana a more attractive destination for future global events.
- Tourism companies are offering travel packages that include tickets for the upcoming concerts of Jennifer Lopez and the Backstreet Boys, suggesting a rise in international tourist interest for Astana's vibrant lifestyle and cultural events.
- The upcoming concerts in Astana are expected to attract nearly 18,000 visitors for Jennifer Lopez's concert and similar or possibly higher numbers for the Backstreet Boys' event, which will significantly boost demand for local services like hotels, restaurants, transportation, and more, thereby enhancing tourism, culture, and economy.
