The Second Capital Forum of Guides and Tour Guides commenced at the Presidential Center of the DPA RK. The event was timed to coincide with the 35th anniversary of Kazakhstan's independence and World Tour Guides Day, which is celebrated annually on February 21.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has consistently emphasized that realizing Kazakhstan's tourism potential is a strategic priority and a key element of state policy. The Second Capital Forum represented a continuation of the previous year's event, reinforcing established initiatives and broadening the scope of professional collaboration. The Astana City Akimat, the Astana Tourism Development Center, and the Astana Guides Club jointly organized the event.
"For the second consecutive year, the Presidential Center, in collaboration with the Astana Akimat and the National Company Kazakh Tourism, has convened representatives of the professional community, following the inaugural forum of Astana guides and tour guides last year. Kazakhstan has experienced sustained growth in the tourism sector in recent years, as evidenced by increasing tourist numbers, expanding geographic reach, rising investment, and the development of new destinations and infrastructure. This progress reflects consistent government policy aligned with the President's strategic objective to double the sector's growth rate. At the extended government meeting on January 28, 2025, the Head of State reaffirmed his commitment to this policy, identifying tourism as a key driver of Kazakhstan's economic growth. Priority areas include enhancing the investment appeal of the tourism sector, developing transport infrastructure such as air routes, providing engineering infrastructure for tourist destinations, and establishing new tourist zones. In 2025, investment in the domestic tourism industry exceeded 1.2 trillion tenge, representing a 32% increase compared to 2024. Astana is strengthening its position as a leading tourist destination in both Kazakhstan and Central Asia, supported by factors such as the high level of training and qualifications among the capital's guides and tour guides. Tour guides serve as the country's representative, a guide to the world of historical heritage, a cultural ambassador who shapes guests' impressions of Kazakhstan. Their professionalism, expertise, and personal qualities significantly influence the quality of travelers' experiences. "Currently, the Presidential Center is the only historical and memorial institute in our country dedicated to the study, systematization, and popularization of the political history of independent Kazakhstan through the prism of the presidency, which is especially symbolic in the anniversary year of our 35th independence," noted Bakytzhan Temirbolat, Director of the Presidential Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in his speech.
Maksat Zhanabayev, Deputy Head of the Astana Department for Investment and Entrepreneurship Development, shared his perspective.
"The role of each tour guide is unique. For tourists, it is essential not only to visit landmarks but also to understand the city's history, distinctiveness, and values. Tour guides fulfill this important mission. International experience demonstrates that successful urban destinations systematically engage with professional guide communities. In major tourist destinations such as Vienna, Singapore, and Barcelona, tour guides are regarded as partners in tourism policy and as integral to the city's brand. Their proposals are directly considered when developing tourism products and evaluating the quality of tourism services," he stated.
More than 130 representatives from the capital's tourism sector, government agencies, and regional and international industry experts attended the forum. Discussions addressed current challenges in excursion development, enhancing tourism service quality, and identifying new approaches to boost domestic tourism. The program featured a plenary session and thematic panel discussions.
"Guides and tour guides who welcome our guests, you are the ones who create the impressions people seek. Your words and stories shape how Kazakhstan is seen. That is why being a guide is both responsible and prestigious. The way you talk about our country decides if visitors leave with more than just photos, but also with stories they will remember and share with their family and friends," said Talgat Gazizov, Chairman of the Board of Kazakh Tourism JSC.
The meeting also included speeches from Nurbol Baizhanov, Acting Chairman of the Tourism Industry Committee at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Artem Kvaschuk, Chairman of the Board at Astana Tourism Development Centre LLP, and Damila Kunanova, Managing Director and Director of the Tourism Department at Atameken NCE.
During the first panel session, topical issues were discussed with the capital's guides, museum guides and representatives of Visit Centres. It is worth noting that the museum section ‘Methodological Approaches in Museum Tour Practices’ presented the tour programmes of the Presidential Centre, giving participants the opportunity to learn about modern methodological approaches to the development and conduct of museum tours, as well as to discuss effective tools for working with audiences.
The second panel session looked at how other countries regulate the industry and interpret heritage. Natalia Bakhtadze-Englander, Chair of the Georgian Ecotourism Association, and Dubravko Fijacko, External Relations Coordinator of the European Association for Cultural Heritage Interpretation ‘Interpret Europe’ (Germany), shared their experience and insights.
The forum ended with recommendations to help develop the excursion industry, improve the quality of tourist services, and strengthen Kazakhstan’s cultural and tourism potential.
