Kazakh Tourism National Company has introduced a draft concept to transform the historic Baikonur cosmodrome into a future-focused destination for scientific and industrial tourism. The plan aims to attract visitors year-round, beyond just the times of rocket launches.
The project, titled "Baikonur: From Silk Way to Milky Way," was unveiled during a facilitation session in Astana on June 2, bringing together stakeholders from tourism, academia, and government. The initiative aligns with the upcoming 70th anniversary of the renowned spaceport.
Discussions at the session centered on crucial aspects of the development, including infrastructure modernization, the creation of new tour routes, strengthening the Baikonur brand, and attracting investment and strategic partnerships for sustainable growth.
Kairat Sadvakasov, Chairman of Kazakh Tourism, emphasized that the core of the concept is to build a self-sustaining tourism ecosystem that thrives even in the periods between rocket launches. "Baikonur is gaining a clear trajectory for future development," Sadvakasov stated. "We envision Baikonur as a global platform of the future, combining cultural diplomacy, museum transformation and brand development."
A key priority of the strategy is to expand "inter-launch tours" to ensure a consistent flow of visitors, which would optimize the use of existing facilities and reduce seasonal pressures.
To propel these ambitions, a consortium was established in 2025 between Kazakh Tourism and the state-owned Infracos enterprise. This partnership will focus on developing space tourism, astro-tourism, and cultural tourism at Baikonur and its associated sites.
Marking a significant step in enhancing the visitor experience, an Open-Air Museum was recently inaugurated in the city of Baikonur. The museum showcases authentic space technology, reinforcing the site's legacy as a living monument to human space exploration and creating new engagement opportunities for tourists. This development, coupled with the new tourism strategy, signifies Kazakhstan's broader efforts to diversify its tourism portfolio and highlight its unique heritage on the world stage.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said a peace agreement with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday in a post on social media, despite Tehran's Fore...
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 13 June, covering the latest developments you need to know....
As the 2026 World Cup kicked off on 11 June across North America, U.S. visa restrictions and travel policies have made it impossible for supporters, ...
Every June, roughly 13 million young people in China sit down at the same time to take the same test. They have been preparing for it, in many cases, ...
European museums are increasingly returning cultural artefacts to countries in Africa and the Middle East, as pressure grows to address the legacy of ...
Domestic economic conditions are playing a growing role in shaping the outlook for Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, according to global financial services group ING.
The U.S. is deepening engagement with Central Asia on critical minerals as global competition for strategic resources intensifies. The issue dominated talks in Astana between Washington and the five Central Asian states.
The European Union’s proposed 21st sanctions package against Russia could affect companies in Central Asia, including firms in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, as Brussels moves to tighten controls on sanctions circumvention.
Kazakhstan will require major businesses to introduce five-year water-saving plans as authorities warn that worsening shortages could threaten not only the environment but also the country's economy.
SpaceX has made history with the largest initial public offering ever in the United States, pricing its shares at $135 each and achieving a market valuation of $1.77 trillion.
SpaceX made a historic entrance into the Nasdaq on Friday, surging over 20% in its first day of trading and lifting its valuation to more than $2 trillion. Investors flocked to the world’s largest IPO, betting on Elon Musk’s sprawling empire spanning rockets, AI and beyond.
Pakistan has warned that any attempt by India to block or significantly reduce river flows under the Indus Waters Treaty could have “far-reaching consequences”, after India's water minister said New Delhi was working to ensure that “not a single drop” of water reaches Pakistan in the coming years.
While France hosts next week’s Group of Seven summit, businesses in neighbouring Switzerland have already begun taking precautions, with many shops in Geneva boarded up ahead of a large anti-G7 demonstration expected on Sunday.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said a peace agreement with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday in a post on social media, despite Tehran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei saying no deal would be approved this weekend.
Uzbekistan will launch a new digital financial platform from 1 July aimed at simplifying access to finance for entrepreneurs, as part of broader efforts to support small businesses, encourage innovation and accelerate private sector development.
Pakistan has warned that any attempt by India to block or significantly reduce river flows under the Indus Waters Treaty could have “far-reaching consequences”, after India's water minister said New Delhi was working to ensure that “not a single drop” of water reaches Pakistan in the coming years.
The global race to develop quantum computing is accelerating, with governments and technology firms investing heavily in what is expected to become a major new computing era.
Japan’s birth rate and fertility levels have fallen to their lowest levels on record, highlighting the country’s worsening demographic crisis as fewer people marry and have children.
Iran said no final decision has been made on a proposed agreement with Washington, despite suggestions from U.S. President Donald Trump that a deal could soon be signed in a European capital.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment