On March 29-31, 2022, Roadshow on the tourism potential of Kazakhstan was hosted by the Eastern province, Riyadh, and Jeddah Chambers of Commerce.
The Roadshow was organized by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Saudi Arabia and the Department of Tourism of Almaty (Visit Almaty) with the support of the “Kazakh Tourism” National Company.
The three-day event was attended by H.E. Mr. Berik Aryn, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Saudi Arabia, Mr. Talgat Amanbayev, the Chairman of “Kazakh Tourism,” H.E. Mr. Talgat Shaldanbay, the Consul General of Kazakhstan in Jeddah, as well as the heads and representatives of Kazakh travel and aviation companies, such as “SkyWay,” “KOMPAS,” “Qazaq Travel,” “Kite Travel,” “Sinyar Travel and Tourism,” “Empire Travel Qazaqstan,” “SCAT Airlines,” “Air Astana” and “FlyArystan.”
The Saudi side was represented by Mr. Bader Al-Reziza, the Chairman of Asharqia Chamber, Mr. Naif Al-Rajhi, the Vice-Chairman of the Riyadh Chamber – the Chairman of the National Committee of Tourism at the Federation of Saudi Chambers, Mr. Ramiz Al Ghaleb, the Acting Secretary-General of the Jeddah Chamber, members of the chambers of commerce of Riyadh, Jeddah, and the Eastern Province, more than 100 heads and representatives of various Saudi tour operators and airlines, including such prominent companies as Seera Group, FlyNas, Dnata, Almosafer, Saudi International Travel, Al Sarh, Arjaa, etc.
In his welcoming speech, Ambassador Berik Aryn pointed to the existing historical ties between Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia, established back in the period of the ancient “Silk Road” that connected Central Asia and the Gulf region and played a crucial role in facilitating economic, cultural, political and spiritual interactions between the East and West.
In this regard, he called on the participants to restore close cooperation between the countries by conducting a joint campaign to promote Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia as new tourist destinations for citizens of the two states.
In this context, the Ambassador briefed on the measures implemented by the Government of Kazakhstan to develop the tourism industry and infrastructure, including the resumption of visa-free entry to Kazakhstan for Saudi citizens, the launch of direct flights by Kazakh airlines between the cities of the two countries, the introduction of the “open skies” regime at the airports of Kazakhstan, etc.
According to the Kazakh Ambassador, these steps create favorable conditions for increasing tourist flow and building up trade and economic cooperation, exchanging visits, attracting mutual investments and expanding the political dialogue between the two states.
Kazakh companies, in turn, informed about their activities and presented tourism opportunities in Kazakhstan. Travel companies noted that Kazakhstan could offer almost all types of tourism services – from educational and entertainment tours to recreational, business, and eco-tourism.
Besides, the Kazakh delegation has demonstrated promotional videos with natural landscapes and sights of Almaty and other cities and regions of Kazakhstan and organized a concert program of Kazakh folk music and a gastronomic tasting of the national cuisine of the Kazakh people.
In addition, Kazakh Airlines provided information on existing direct flights between Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia and its plans to launch flights to new destinations, including the capital of the Kingdom, Riyadh city.
Following the Roadshow, the parties organized B2B platforms, where the local business community held practical meetings with Kazakh tour operators and airlines. As a result of negotiations, Kazakh travel companies signed bilateral documents on cooperation with several Saudi tour operators.
In general, the Saudi side praised the conduct of these events. According to them, they were able to get essential information about Kazakhstan and its tourism opportunities. In this regard, Saudi travel companies expressed their readiness to establish partnerships with Kazakh tour operators, including concluding contracts, conducting an advertising tourist campaign of Kazakhstan in Saudi Arabia, selling air tickets of Kazakh airlines, etc.
