30 Minute Interview

'We are currently working on reducing the visa issuance time'

Kazakhstan which formed its Ministry of Tourism and Sport in the year 2006, is extremely confident of its products which are being offered increasingly in many new markets, including India. Speaking at the second annual India - Kazakhstan Tourism Fair held in Delhi, Kenzhekhan Abuov, deputy director, ministry of tourism and sports of Republic of Kazakhstan provides a clearer picture. By Anupama Sushil

Kenzhekhan Abuov Deputy Director Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Republic of Kazakhstan

What are some of your product offerings for Indian tourists?

In India we would mainly be promoting eco-tourism and adventure tourism, though there will also be equal emphasis on beach and cruise tourism on the Caspian Sea and the Great Silk Road which lies south of the country. One of the other important projects that would be promoted will be the three tourists' centres of Mangistau region, Aktau city and the resort zone of Kenderli, all of which will include casinos and other tourism facilities like an entertainment complex, hotels and information centres. These centres are expected to be competed within five years.

As Kazakhastan is a newly independent country, how do you plan to develop the required tourism infrasture?

Having realised that the tourism industry is one of the most profitable industries, we have divided the entire process into two parts. While the first phase that extends up to 2009 will concentrate on the formulation of strategies, directions and preparations for the development of tourism industries for better infrastructure, the second half will concentrate on execution of all these plans and also improvement of the existing projects. This will also help us provide for new jobs, stable growth of the state revenues and increase in population owing to increase in volumes of domestic tourism, which will in turn help in strengthening the tourist image of Kazakhstan.

What other newer markets are you looking at and promotional campaigns planned for the same?

We are currently looking at Germany, England, Japan, Korea, China and India. One of our main aims is to create a positive image for the world market in terms of tourist services, which we do by participating regularly in leading international tourist events, exhibitions, fairs, forums and meetings. We are also working on new branding strategies.

What segment of Indian tourists are you targeting and how economic is the destination? How are you working towards making visa procedures easy?

We will be targeting the middle class and especially the honeymooners segment here in India with mainly our adventure sports and a few other off-the-track products. And as compared to India, it is a much cheaper destination, due to which hotel chains like Marriot and Radisson are building hotels, ten of which will be coming up in the next year. We admit that the visa procedure of acquiring an invitation from a Kazak national for visa issuance is a tiresome procedure, but we are currently working on improving this regime by reducing the visa issuance time.

Are you looking at developing ties with Indian travel trade associations?

Yes, we are aiming to develop trade relations with the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) and will be working closely with agents for developing more synergies for tourism. This would be a gradual two-way process as TAAI has already expressed its interest in wanting to know more about our country and products we have to offer. We are also looking at hosting familiarisation tours soon, encouraging them to come discover the destination.