Despite financial economic crisis, situation in tourism industry is stable - meeting in Almaty

The issues of the tourism industry development in Almaty and its transformation into a center of the tourist industry of the country, problems of the tourism formation as the economy sector, which ensures significant part of revenues to the city budget, were discussed at the session. As Almaty mayor Akhmetzhan Yessimov noted, over nine months of 2009 tax revenues to the consolidated budget of the city made up KZT 441 bln, where the tourism share - KZT 1.8 bln.

Almaty is the absolute leader among other Kazakh cities on a number of foreign tourists. Over 70 percent of foreign tourists, who come to Kazakhstan, visit Almaty. Over a half of tourist companies of the country are located and function in Almaty. In 2007 790 firms work in the city, at present - 870.   

The activities on implementation of the regional program on tourism development brought economic effect. There is a common positive tendency of development of tourism industry on all directions.

The session was held under chairmanship of Almaty Mayor Akhmetzhan Yessimov. Heads of city structural departments, representatives of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport and consular service of the Kazakh MFA, heads of leading tour operators and travel agencies, representatives of universities, members of the Kazakhstan Tourist Association and Kazakhstan Association of Hotels and Restaurants.