Global Leader in Ski Tourism Meets with Kazakhstan's Prime Minister to Discuss Industry Expansion
Revamped Ski Tourism Strategy for Almaty Mountain Cluster
Kazakhstan is all set to revolutionize its Almaty mountain cluster, aiming to transform it into a premier, year-round ski destination. The primary goals for this metamorphosis include:
- Infrastructure Overhaul: Current amenities, encompassing 41 kilometers of ski slopes and 16 lifts, will undergo a massive upgrade. Plans call for a total of 227 kilometers of ski trails and 58 lifts, boosting the daily visitor capacity to an astounding 34,000, with the potential to draw in up to 7.5 million tourists annually by 2029[1][3][5].
- Employment Boom: This revamp is projected to generate a whopping 10,000 direct jobs, creating a significant employment opportunity for the region[1][3][5].
- Economic Boost and Diversification: Tourism is identified as a linchpin for economic diversification in Kazakhstan, joining sectors like manufacturing, digitalization, transport, and logistics in the government's drive to expand the economy[2][5].
Tourism's Role in Kazakhstan's Economy
Transforming ski tourism in the Almaty mountain cluster is vital to Kazakhstan's economic expansion in multiple aspects:
- Diversification: By investing in tourism, Kazakhstan is making strides towards shedding its reliance on traditional industries and fostering a more diverse economy. This move assumes more importance in the present global economic scenario[2].
- Empowering Local Economy: The influx of new jobs will bolster not only regional communities but also encourage broader socio-economic progress in mountainous regions[1][4].
- Global Competitiveness: Modernizing infrastructure to mirror international standards is essential to positioning Kazakhstan as a competitive player on the global tourism stage. This stands to attract increased foreign visitors, stirring economic growth[2][5].
It's worth noting that the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sports, Yerzhan Yerkinbayev, has flagged the development of the mountain cluster in Almaty as a top priority for the year 2025[5].
Viladomat's company has completed over 120 projects worldwide, their notable works including ski resorts in prestigious locations such as Davos and St. Moritz in Switzerland, Courchevel in France, Ischgl and the Tyrol region in Austria, Vail and Aspen in the United States, Whistler-Blackcomb in Canada, and resorts in Andorra. In the latter, a tiny country with a population of just 80,000, the resorts welcomed an impressive 9.6 million visitors last year[5].
Insights:
[1] Economic Impact Analysis of the Expansion of the Almaty Mountain Cluster[2] Kazakhstan’s Economic Strategy: Focus on Diversification and Innovation[3] Tourism and Economic Development in Kazakhstan[4] Socio-Economic Effects of Ski Tourism in Mountain Regions[5] Prime Minister's Discussions with PGI Management President Highlight Tourism Goals
- The revamp of the Almaty mountain cluster's ski tourism strategy, aiming to enable Kazakhstan to become a premier year-round ski destination, is expected to attract up to 7.5 million tourists annually by 2029, creating a significant economic boost and diversification, joining sectors like manufacturing, digitalization, transport, and logistics in the government's drive to expand the economy.
- To boost the daily visitor capacity to an astounding 34,000, with a target of 227 kilometers of ski trails and 58 lifts, Kazakhstan is seeking to empower local economies, especially in mountainous regions, by generating up to 10,000 direct jobs, as part of their strategy to shed reliance on traditional industries and foster a more diverse economy.
- To position Kazakhstan as a competitive player on the global tourism stage, Viladomat, a renowned company with experience in ski resorts across prestigious locations, will modernize infrastructure in the Almaty mountain cluster, with the help of technology, emulating international standards and potentially drawing in increased foreign visitors, thereby stimulating economic growth and global competitiveness.
