US writers promote Kazakhstan tourism following tour of Almaty region

ALMATY -- Fourteen members of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) recently visited Kazakhstan so they could tell their readers about the Central Asian country's nature and culture and recommend tourist activities.

The group spent a week in the vicinity of Almaty from May 31 to June 7 on a press tour hosted by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in partnership with the Kazakh Tourism national company.

The tour was part of a USAID Trade Central Asia Activity, designed to improve region-wide trade connectivity to accelerate economic growth and increase economic opportunity in Central Asia via various means.

Founded in 1955, the SATW has more than 1,000 members.

These include journalists, photographers, editors, broadcast/video/film producers, bloggers, website owners, public relations specialists and hospitality industry members from the United States, Canada and beyond.

"Tourism is a major factor of economic development worldwide, making up five percent of the global GDP," USAID deputy regional mission director for Central Asia Luis Rivera said on a June 6 USAID Facebook post.

"It’s the perfect export -- with the product being an experience of a lifetime to witness and partake in the natural beauty and cultural richness of Kazakhstan."

"One tool for driving tourism development is the hosting of international influencers.

"USAID sponsored this press trip to generate new travel content on Kazakhstan's tourism sites and cultural attractions."

When SATW publicised the opportunity to go to Kazakhstan, about 40 members expressed interest in making the journey, even though it took almost 30 hours to arrive there, a Kazakh Tourism spokesperson said.

SATW chose 14 participants, whose readership includes seasoned US travellers.

A nonstop flight between New York and Almaty is expected to commence in 2025, according to the Kazakh Tourism spokesperson, "so the American public should be aware of tourism in Kazakhstan before that".

'Lifelong memories'

The writers spent time at the Shymbulak ski resort, Oi-Qaragai mountain resort, Ayusai ("bear log") Gorge, Charyn Canyon and Altyn-Emel National Park with its Singing Dunes -- named for the rumbling sound produced by the sand.

They also visited Kolsay Lakes National Park, Lake Kaindy and other picturesque sites.

Their itinerary included hikes and horseback riding, visits to tourist attractions and an introduction to Kazakh cultural traditions.

The writers generated original content, which they shared and continue to share on their blogs and via social media.

"Almaty was probably the cleanest city I've ever visited," FamiliesGo publisher and chief content creator Eileen Gunn wrote to Caravanserai.

"I enjoyed walking around and seeing the sites, shopping and eating," she said. "A few school-age kids came up to me to talk and practice their English, and that was fun."

"I was astounded by the variety of scenery within a few hours [of] Almaty -- vineyards, canyons, plains, sand dunes, lakes, arid mountains, grassy mountains, snowy mountains," Gunn said.

"I don't know where else you can see so many different landscapes in a few hours of each other. So I plan to tell my readers about Almaty and all the short trips from Almaty."

'Friendly and hospitable'

"I am really excited to share the wonders of Kazakhstan with our readers in the US," The Travel 100 editor in chief Jan Schroder wrote to Caravanserai.

"I enjoyed seeing some of the sights of Almaty, including the parks and markets, and then exploring the beautiful countryside," she added.

"Spending an afternoon at Charyn Canyon and hiking at Lake Kaindy and Kolsai Lakes National Park were highlights of the trip for me."

"I also really enjoyed learning about the nomadic life at the Ethno Village, eating a traditional lunch in a yurt one day and a staying in a treehouse at Oi-Qaragai Resort."

"One thing that impressed all of us was how friendly and welcoming the people were," she wrote.

"When they heard us speaking English, they would ask where we are from and say, 'Welcome to Kazakhstan,' or sometimes just say hello and shake our hands as we walked on a trail."

Travel writer Christopher Mitchell of Travelingmitch.com told Caravanserai that for him, "what was most memorable were the diverse, dramatic landscapes".

"I sincerely enjoyed the people," he wrote. "Everyone was so welcoming and happy to see that I was there to explore."

"Visiting Kazakhstan was honestly one of the great trips of my life. I already can't wait to return," Mitchell said.

Setting sights higher

In addition to creating content about Kazakhstan, the SATW writers' visit will increase the chances that the organisation will choose to hold its annual conference in the Central Asian country, the Kazakh Tourism spokesperson said.

This event, held in a different country each year, brings together between 250 and 400 journalists, bloggers, photojournalists and editors to talk about tourism.

Each puts out one or two stories about his or her trip.

"In 2019, Kazakhstan applied to host the next SATW conference in Almaty and won," the spokesperson noted. "But then the coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020, and the borders were shut to tourists."

"Then the conflict in Ukraine set off a geopolitical crisis, and instead of Almaty, this year the conference is going to be in Puerto Rico in September."

Kazakhstan reapplied to SATW in February and is hoping to be selected to host the 2024 conference, the spokesperson said.