France to help Kazakhstan develop mountain tourism

Director of Cluster Montagne Mountain Development France Robert Benoît and President of Kazakhstan Alpine Skiing Federation and Director of Shimbulak ski resort Yesset Yeshpanov signed a memorandum of cooperation in Almaty. "The memo will give a powerful impulse to the development of alpine skiing and mountain tourism in Kazakhstan. France is the world's most visited country as its ski resorts attract millions of tourists every year. Cluster Montagne Mountain Development has been promoting know how for sustainable mountain tourism development in France and abroad for the past 10 years. Every time I come to Almaty I see that alpine skiing becomes more and more popular here," Mr. Benoît said at the signing ceremony. In his words, he is 100% sure that Almaty stands a good chance to win the bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics. Mr. Yeshpanov said that French experience in holding of international sports events will be invaluable for Almaty.