Yerevan hosted a roundtable titled “Kazakhstan–Armenia: Dialogue in Tourism,” held in a hybrid format that brought together officials, tour operators, experts and media from both countries, DKNews.kz reports.
The event was organized with the support of Kazakh Tourism and the Armenian Tourism Federation within the framework of a Memorandum of Cooperation signed in 2024.
Tourism as a bridge between countries
Participants received an overview of Kazakhstan’s tourism infrastructure and discussed practical ways to expand cooperation, including joint initiatives and experience sharing.
Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Armenia Bolat Imanbayev noted that bilateral relations reached the level of strategic partnership, and tourism now plays a key role:
- strengthening economic ties
- developing cultural and humanitarian links
- building people-to-people connections
In other words, it is not only about travel, but also about trust, visibility and national branding.
Kazakhstan: tourism as a driver of growth
Nurlan Karipbayev, Chairman of the Committee for Tourism Industry, outlined national priorities:
- promoting national tourism brands
- attracting visitors through international markets
- expanding joint projects with partners
Representatives of Kazakh Tourism and Atameken emphasized that Kazakhstan views tourism as:
- a driver of sustainable economic growth
- an effective tool of international cooperation
Armenia’s position: ready for joint projects
The Armenian side expressed readiness to deepen cooperation through:
- joint routes and packaged tours
- promoting Central Asia and the South Caucasus as a combined destination
- greater participation in industry exhibitions and forums
Lilit Gevorgyan highlighted the importance of direct contacts between tour operators and praised participation in KITF 2025 in Almaty.
Transport and digital tools matter
Speakers underlined the importance of:
- transport accessibility
- logistics
- user-friendly digital services for travelers
According to the Armenian Tourism Federation, convenient logistics are essential to unlocking full potential.
Kazakhstan through the eyes of journalists
Insights by ArmInfo correspondent Marine Mkrtchyan — a laureate of the “Kazakhstan through the Eyes of Foreign Media” contest — showed that Kazakhstan impresses visitors with:
- nature
- infrastructure
- safety of travel
The outcome: plans that lead to action
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to:
- expanding tourism cooperation
- developing joint initiatives
- working toward practical, mutually beneficial results.
Tourism is increasingly becoming a tool for dialogue and a way to bring people and cultures closer.
