According to official statistical data, as of the end of Q2 2026(January–June), the tourism industry of East Kazakhstan Region demonstrates stable growth.
The region ranked second in the Republic in terms of the number of accommodation facilities, with a total of 447 facilities, representing an increase of 64 facilities or 16.7% compared to the same period of 2025(383 facilities in Q2 2025).
The region also ranked second in the Republic in terms of the one-time capacity of accommodation facilities, reaching 22,298 beds, which is 1,228 beds or 5.8% more than in the same period of 2025(21,070 beds in Q2 2025).
The total number of tourists amounted to 195,600, which is 18,915 tourists or 8.8% lower compared to the same period of 2025(214,500 tourists in Q2 2025).
The number of domestic tourists amounted to 188,900, decreasing by 17,641 tourists or 8.8% compared to the same period of 2025(206,500 tourists in Q2 2025).
The number of international tourists amounted to 6,696, representing a decrease of 1,274 tourists or 16% compared to the same period of 2025(7,970 tourists in Q2 2025).
Positive dynamics were also recorded in financial indicators. The volume of tourism services provided increased to KZT 5.2 billion, which is KZT 1 billion or 23.8% higher than in the same period of 2025(KZT 4.2 billion in Q2 2025).
Investment in fixed assets in the tourism sector amounted to KZT 21.6 billion in 2025, representing a 45% increase. In the first half of 2026, the figure amounted to KZT 9.5 billion.
In accordance with the region’s economic development strategy through 2029, the development of tourist destinations is focused on four key tourism clusters:
1.Katon-Karagay and Ulken Naryn:health and wellness tourism and ecotourism(wellness hotels, pantotherapy, apitherapy).
2.Glubokoye District, Altai and Ridder:active recreation and mountain tourism, including skiing.
3.Markakol and Zaysan:natural heritage and ecotourism.
4.“City–Mountains–Lakes”(Ust-Kamenogorsk, Ulan and Glubokoye districts):a year-round destination focused on weekend tourism.
By 2028, the launch of major tourism facilities is planned, including the Hilton Garden Inn in Ust-Kamenogorsk and the Wellness Resort health and wellness complex in Katon-Karagay District.
As part of the implementation of the Head of State’s instructions on improving the readiness of tourist areas, the regional akimat approved the East Kazakhstan Tourism Development Map(Resolution No. 273 dated October 30, 2025).
The document identifies 23 priority areas for infrastructure development, including 13 designated mass recreation areas, covering the shores of the Bukhtarma Reservoir, the Sibinsky Lakes and other locations.
In 2025, 160 km of roads leading to tourist destinations underwent medium-scale repairs. Construction of the mountain road to the Rakhmanovskie Springs is nearing completion, as is the construction of the bypass road around the Osenovsky Pass, including Kazakhstan’s highest bridge.
The repair of 215 km of roads leading to Ulken Naryn, the Bukhtarma Reservoir, the Sibinsky Lakes and Lake Markakol is ongoing.
Following modernization, five railway stations have been reopened.
In terms of sanitary and hygiene infrastructure, the region currently has 42 sanitary and hygiene facilities, including 10 facilities installed this year at key tourist destinations and along major tourist routes.
Waste collection and disposal have been organized in popular tourist areas. In particular, last year in Novaya Bukhtarma settlement, Altai District, 45 waste containers at 8 solid waste collection sites were repaired, and 50 new containers were purchased.
Work is continuing to provide tourist areas with mobile communications and internet access. Of the 33 locations included in the Tourism Development Map, 30 are covered by 3G/4G mobile internet.
The use of Starlink and OneWeb satellite terminals is being explored to provide connectivity to remote areas. Phased connectivity is planned to be completed by the end of the current year.