East Kazakhstan Region has drawn up a master plan for developing its tourism economy from 2026 to 2035. It envisages year-round tourism offers, development of six key areas, attracting investors and addressing systemic challenges in the sector.
The region officially registered nearly 447,000 tourists in 2025, up 4.4% from the previous year. Domestic travellers accounted for about 96% of the total, while the main tourist season runs from June to October. The region has 429 accommodation facilities with 6,205 rooms.
The six areas named in the plan are Katon-Karagay, Ridder, the Bukhtarma Reservoir, Markakol-Zaisan, Ulken Naryn, and Ust-Kamenogorsk and its suburbs. Their proposed specialisations range from mountain, wellness and water tourism to business, industrial and rural tourism.
The plan calls for offering visitors organised trips rather than stand-alone attractions, with transport, accommodation, meals, excursions, safety measures and booking options. Potential products include yacht tourism, mountain biking, birdwatching, food tours and experiences introducing visitors to Kazakh family traditions.
Projects are also being developed to bring visitors during the off-season. Ridder has drawn up a programme for the Ridder BirdFest ornithological festival. A snow leopard-watching project is under consideration in Katon-Karagay, while a pilot winter fishing product is being prepared in the Ulken Naryn district. Concepts are also being developed for Altai City on the Bukhtarma Reservoir and Kokterek Park at the Osinovsky Pass.
The master plan also addresses infrastructure, service quality, workforce training and digital services. The Visit East Kazakhstan tourism brand is intended to bring together information on routes, accommodation, transport, events and services, with options for booking.
The plan is set to be implemented in three stages. The management system and initial products are to be prepared in 2026–2027; tourism areas and infrastructure developed in 2028–2030; and successful projects expanded, with the region’s international profile strengthened, in 2031–2035. East Kazakhstan Region Akim Nury mbet Saktaganov tasked officials with implementing the plan and strengthening accountability.
