Exploring Astana: Transforming the Capital into a Global Tourist Hub
In the thriving heart of Astana, tourism continues to flourish, as our site reported earlier, inspired by the city administration.
The city hosted approximately 800 events, with about 70 being international. Major events included the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit, the 5th World Nomad Games, and Comic Con festival, enticing over 250,000 attendees from 89 countries.
Astana shined during the "Year of Kazakh Tourism in China," bagging the Grand Prix for the most remarkable tourism showcasing. The city embraced 1.5 million tourists in 2024, marking a 14% rise from the preceding year.
The cityscape evolved further, with 286 hotels and over a hundred tourist attractions now available in Astana. The city also spotlighted medical tourism, highlighted by significant events like the National Forum of Laboratory Medicine and the Nobel Fest Scientific Festival. Astana lured medical tourists with 7 clinics recognized by the international JCI commission.
2024 saw the launch of the high-speed electric train "Astana - Borovoe Resort," and the gastronomic scene prospered with the production of Astana's gastronomic catalog.
In 2025, Astana plans to host about 1,200 events, including over 100 international ones. The "Astana - My Homeland's Capital" project will offer more than 1,000 underprivileged children an opportunity to explore the city.
Upcoming events in Astana include:
- "A Journey into the World of Čiurlionis: Harmony of Color and Sound" (28 May - 12 June 2025)
- International Exhibition: "KomTrans+BusExpo 2025" (25 - 27 June 2025)
- 15th International ISAAC Congress (21 - 25 July 2025)
- IFLA International Congress (18 - 22 August 2025)
- International Exhibition: "InfraTech Kazakhstan 2025" (20 - 22 August 2025)
- International Exhibition: "Qazaqstan Live Fest 2025" (11 - 13 September 2025)
- Worldschool Pop-Up Hub (17 - 23 August 2025)
- International Education Fair Astana (11 October 2025)
Additional initiatives include the Kazakh-French Festival: Under the Sky of Tengri, enhanced tourist infrastructure, and the city's continuous efforts to attract international stars to further promote its cultural and entertainment scene. Astana has experienced a remarkable surge in tourism, with 500 events held in the city last year, drawing 13% more tourists than the previous year.
Astana, with its vibrant growth, now offers a variety of lifestyle experiences for travelers, such as cultural-travel opportunities with events like the "A Journey into the World of Čiurlionis: Harmony of Color and Sound" and budget-friendly options with events like the International Education Fair Astana. The city's popularity among tourists continues to rise, as evidenced by the 13% increase in visitors last year.
