During the official visit of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan K.-J.Kemelevich Tokayev to China last year, 2024 was declared the "Year of Kazakhstani Tourism in China".

During the official meeting, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan presented the Concept of the Year of Kazakhstani Tourism, which provides for a number of significant events in major cities of China. The opening of the Year of Tourism is scheduled for the end of March this year, and a total of more than 25 different events are planned.

Tourists from China were among the top 5 tourists who visited Kazakhstan last year. According to statistics for the first 9 months of last year in Kazakhstan accommodation places served more than 75 thousand tourists, while the total number of visitors from the Celestial Empire to Kazakhstan exceeded 200 thousand people.

The agency noted that given the introduction of visa-free regime from 10 November last year and with the planned increase in the number of direct flights to 30 per week this year, is expected to further increase tourist flow.

In conclusion, Ermek Marzhikpaev invited Mr Sun Yeli to Kazakhstan to participate in the upcoming meeting of heads of tourism administrations of the SCO member states.