Almaty mayor set to develop mountain tourism
Almaty. December 27. KAZINFORM - Almaty mayor Akhmetzhan Yessimov traditionally meets with mass media leaders ahead of the New Year day to share on the city's development in the coming year. This time, he called mountain tourism a promising direction.
"5 000 jobs will be created at the first stage of the construction of Kok-Zhailyau resort. We have to always keep this in mind not to let social tension grow. Besides, it is an environment-friendly production giving jobs and attracting foreign tourists, who will come and spend money here and in the city", - the mayor explained.
"The state will allocate funds for alpine ski infrastructure and, theoretically, it can be a 100% owner. But is it really needed? We'd like tom attract private investments in the construction of hotels, restaurants, sports facilities, etc. For instance, Shymbulak is private property, and we see it is developing pretty well. Medeo, although it is in state ownership, is run by Shymbulak, and we see that the number of its visitors has doubled. What is really needed is to have a good manager, who will ensure good order, preserve and multiply our natural riches, and what shares the state and private business will own in it is next on the agenda," - Yessimov continued.
He also added that the development of mountain tourism was instructed by the President. The project will be implemented with involvement of outstanding foreign experts. A draft project of the resort has been worked out and the mayor assures it will be interesting not only for foreigners but also for Kazakhstanis, because of its reasonable prices.