Kazakhstan Targets Expansion of Ski Tourism Through Partnership with Global Industry Leader
Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov met with Joan Viladomat, President of PGI Management, on April 19 to discuss cooperation in the development of ski tourism in Kazakhstan, with a particular focus on the Almaty mountain cluster. The meeting underscored the government's broader strategy to position tourism as a key driver of economic diversification.
According to the Prime Minister’s press service, the parties reviewed global tourism trends and emphasized the growing role of the industry in stimulating national economic growth. Ski tourism was identified as a promising vector for the socio-economic advancement of mountainous regions and related sectors.
Bektenov and Viladomat discussed the transformation of the Almaty cluster—currently attracting approximately two million visitors annually and supporting 2,000 seasonal jobs—into a globally competitive, year-round tourism destination. Present infrastructure includes 41 kilometers of ski runs and 16 ski lifts, with a daily capacity of 6,000 visitors. However, demand is outpacing supply, necessitating a revised national strategy for mountain tourism development.
Proposals include expanding the infrastructure to 227 kilometers of ski trails and 58 lifts, increasing the daily visitor capacity to 34,000. This would enable the region to accommodate up to 7.5 million tourists per year by 2029 and create 10,000 new direct jobs. Additional benefits are expected across service and supporting industries.
The initiative aligns with Kazakhstan’s economic policy aimed at reducing reliance on traditional industries. Tourism is viewed alongside manufacturing, digital technologies, transport, and logistics as a potential engine of sustainable growth.
PGI Management has overseen more than 120 ski resort development projects globally. Its portfolio includes iconic destinations such as Davos and St. Moritz (Switzerland), Courchevel (France), Ischgl and the Tyrol region (Austria), Vail and Aspen (United States), Whistler-Blackcomb (Canada), and Andorran resorts, which hosted 9.6 million visitors last year—more than 100 times the country’s population.
Photo credit: primeminister.kz
