Kazakhstan is set to develop a world-class high-altitude resort just outside Almaty, aiming to transform the city into a year-round tourist destination. The ambitious master plan for the Almaty Mountain Cluster was recently presented to Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, promising to boost tourism.
The project will feature up to 700 kilometers of ski trails and is expected to welcome up to 34 000 visitors daily. It will also generate around 10 000 new jobs, making it a major economic driver for the region.
“We plan to take significant steps over the next few years to build a high-mountain resort that meets international standards,” Bektenov said. “Almaty should compete with the world’s leading ski destinations.”
The central development area covers popular ski spots including Shymbulak, Oi-Karagai, Pioneer, Kimasar, and Butakovka. The number of ski lifts will increase from 16 to 58, linking these areas into the new Almaty Superski project. This will also include Kumbel Peak and the Kok-Zhailau region, adding over 65 kilometers of ski slopes.
Half of the new trails will be designed for beginners, making the resort accessible for everyone and promoting winter sports across the region. The plan emphasizes inclusive facilities and careful preservation of the natural landscape.
The resort won’t be just for winter. The development will include hiking and biking trails, adventure parks, glamping sites, ethnic hotels, and eco-friendly transportation to make it a true year-round destination. Plans also include digital monitoring of the environment and a focus on renewable energy.
International partners from France, the US, and Andorra are involved, praising the project for meeting global standards in sustainable tourism.
The government will build essential infrastructure like roads, utilities, and cable cars, paving the way for private investments in hotels and other tourist facilities. Experts say every dollar the government invests will attract two dollars from private investors.
The Almaty Mountain Cluster is expected to become Central Asia’s largest all-season tourism project by 2029.
Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan are drawing up a new programme aimed at boosting bilateral trade to $1 billion by 2030, as the two countries move to deep...
Australia on Thursday condemned Israel’s decision to close its criminal investigation into the deaths of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom ...
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to res...
The collective-defence agreement between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signals that regional powers no longer want to rely solely on external security guarantees. Whether it becomes a stabilising deterrent or another axis of rivalry remains unresolved.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 19th of August, covering the latest developments.
Australia on Thursday condemned Israel’s decision to close its criminal investigation into the deaths of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six World Central Kitchen colleagues killed in Gaza in April 2024.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
North Korea has fired more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles after U.S. President Donald Trump reduced American participation in joint military exercises with South Korea in an effort to revive dialogue with Pyongyang.
Georgia’s foreign trade data for January-July 2026 shows Kyrgyzstan, China and Russia as its top three export markets, highlighting its Middle Corridor ambitions and complex economic ties with Moscow.
Kazakhstan will vote on 23 August in its first parliamentary election under the new Constitution, choosing 145 members of the new Kurultai under a fundamentally changed electoral system based entirely on party lists.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment