Ski resort peak attraction now accessible with the launch of new visitor center at Shymbulak
Headline: Eco-Tourism Boom in Almaty, Kazakhstan: New Projects and Developments
Almaty, Kazakhstan is seeing a significant surge in eco-tourism development, with numerous projects underway to enhance nature-based tourist infrastructure in the region.
One of the most exciting developments is the Tenir Eco Hotel glamping zone, which is being built along the Alatau Amanaty eco-path, a newly initiated eco-route that will connect major attractions such as Charyn Canyon and the Tanbaly Reserve Museum. This route, spanning over 1,200 km across the Zailiskiy Alatau mountain range, will feature ethnic villages, camping sites, glamping zones like Tenir, and gastronomic tourism facilities. The project is supported by various public and government organizations, including the Ministry of Tourism and Sport of Kazakhstan and local administrations.
Another notable project is the creation of a new ecologically focused tourist route near Almaty. This route will offer visitors a unique experience, featuring ethnic villages, camping sites, and glamping zones, all while promoting sustainable tourism.
Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Eraly Tugzhanov, has emphasized that tourism is to be a driver of Almaty's economic development. During his visit, he inspected the construction site of Tenir Eco Hotel, the visitor centers at Medeu and Shymbulak ski resorts, and various tourist facilities in Almaty.
While specific details about the upgrade or construction status of the visitor centers at Medeu and Shymbulak are limited, plans mentioned in news sources suggest the creation of a unified tourist space linking Shymbulak ski resort to other mountain destinations like Oi-Qaragai, implying ongoing development and potentially new or improved visitor infrastructure at these resorts to promote eco-tourism.
In addition to these regional developments, Kazakhstan as a nation is actively improving tourism infrastructure, expanding routes, and enhancing accessibility with new flights and airports. These efforts support eco-tourism indirectly by improving the overall visitor experience and access to natural and cultural sites.
The city of Almaty itself is not left behind in these developments. Eight tourist information points are currently operating in the city, and efforts are being made to attract private investments in the tourism sector. Two visitor centers have been built on the main attractions of the city this year with private funds, and work on the glamping zone is nearing completion. The glamping zone, Tenir Eco Hotel, is scheduled to be commissioned by the end of this year and offers panoramic views of the peaks of the Zailiysky Alatau.
The resort's all-season nature, with hotels, ski complexes, restaurants, cafes, hostels, and various recreational centers, highlights the need to focus on developing health and wellness tourism. Almaty has digitized around 1000 km of mountain hiking trails, with 25 trails totaling 325 km improved this year, further enhancing the visitor experience.
In conclusion, Almaty and Kazakhstan are making significant strides in eco-tourism development, with numerous projects underway to enhance nature-based tourist infrastructure. The Tenir Eco Hotel glamping zone and the new ecologically focused tourist route are just a few examples of the exciting developments taking place in the region.
- The Tenir Eco Hotel glamping zone, situated along the Alatau Amanaty eco-path, offers a unique blend of outdoor-living and home-and-garden experiences, providing visitors with panoramic views of the Zailiysky Alatau.
- The new ecologically focused tourist route near Almaty extends the concept of nature-based tourism, incorporating elements of travel, sports, and home-and-garden, while promoting sustainable practices.
- As Kazakhstan continues to improve tourism infrastructure and promote eco-tourism, the focus shifts towards health and wellness tourism, with developments like digitized mountain hiking trails and all-season resorts further enhancing the visitor experience.
