Special report from the Kazakhstan Travel Forum «SAYAKHAT 2026»
«»On September 18, the capital of Kazakhstan hosted the large-scale tourism forum «SAYAKHAT 2026» at the site of the International Exhibition Center «EXPO». Thirteen countries and dozens of regions have teamed up to rebuild the travel map, erase barriers and show what modern hospitality sounds like.
The initiatives of the participants were highly appreciated by Miras Tulebayev, Vice Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Evgeny Glotov, Deputy Akim of Astana.
Фото:Зеленченковой Т.В,
Ten years of «Turistik Kamkor»: protection as a vocation
The forum was centered on the tenth anniversary of the «Turistik Kamkor» Corporate Foundation, which administers the only system in Central Asia to guarantee the rights of outbound tourists. Over the past decade, almost seven million Kazakhstani tourists have visited the system, and more than fifteen thousand citizens have been successfully returned from crisis situations abroad. The key tool is a digital «Turcode» that connects a legal tour operator, a confirmed route, and a specific protection mechanism.
The Foundation is headed by Inna Yurievna Ray, a legendary expert and reformer of the Kazakh tourism industry, one of the main organizers of the forum. Under her leadership, the outbound tourism market has become fully civilized: a strict system of financial discipline has been built, large-scale crisis management campaigns have been conducted during the pandemic and the crisis in the Middle East, cooperation has been established with the Ministries of tourism of Turkey, Egypt, the UAE, Thailand and the CIS countries, amendments to the law «On Tourism Activities in the Republic of Kazakhstan» have been initiated.
Who’s at the stand: a map of tour operators and air carriers
The exhibition stands of the forum have become an arena for demonstrating the achievements of the leading players in the CIS market.
Kazakhstan pool:
- FUN&SUN Kazakhstan, the leader of charter programs, introduced new IT tools for travel agents.
- KOMPAS is a multidisciplinary tour operator that has expanded its range of exotic B2B destinations.
- Kazunion— a premium brand, has introduced a B2B online booking platform for combined tours.
- Anex Tour Kazakhstan is the largest supplier of mass beach holidays.
- Selfie Travel — vivid visual concepts, short urban formats and «city + nature» mixes for young travelers.
- JoinUp!, Crystal Bay Kazakhstan, PEGAS Touristik — a wide range of destinations from budget to premium.
Airlines:
SCAT Airlines attracted special attention. First Vice President Vladimir Sytnik was among the key speakers at the opening of the forum. The airline is developing a tourist destination through the Sunday Airlines brand, focused on charter resort transportation. In April 2026, SCAT announced a new contract for the supply of five Boeing 737 MAX 9s, which will scale the route network. Air Astana and airport representatives also participated in the business program.
The Russian landing:
- NOTA TRAVEL — individual and conceptual VIP routes.
- «Alean» — year-round sanatorium and excursion packages to the regions of Russia.
- «Infoflot» — cruises from the Volga to the Mediterranean Sea.
The head of «Infoflot» Development Department, Vitaly Panov, noted: «For us, a cruise is not just a route, but a guide between cultures. Each route is a step towards a common understanding. And this has its own quiet diplomacy, the diplomacy of impressions.»
Moscow Business Mission: the main event of the forum
The most striking event of «SAYAKHAT 2026» was the Moscow Business Mission, a representative delegation that flew to Astana with specific initiatives and ready-made solutions. The delegation included representatives of about twenty Moscow travel companies and organizations.
Фото: Зеленченковой Т.В.The composition of the Moscow delegation:
- Bulat Nurmukhanov — Deputy Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee, Head of the delegation. He presented the tourism potential of the capital: by the end of 2025, Moscow received 26.5 million guests, of which about 195,000 were tourists from Kazakhstan.
- Vladimir Berezin is a senior advisor to the First Deputy General Director of VDNH, Head of the Tourism Development Department. He presented VDNH as a commercially attractive tourist cluster.
- Egor Shipitsyn is a representative of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation in Kazakhstan (Trade Adviser at the Russian Embassy). I raised the issue of using Russian bank cards in Kazakhstan.
- Elena Aksenova is the Director of the Research Institute of Healthcare Organization and Medical Management of the Moscow Department of Healthcare. Presented medical tourism programs.
Representatives of the «Moskino» film park told about the tourist and filming facilities of the site, which was visited by about a million tourists in 2026.Representatives of the NGO «Moscow Project Office for Tourism and Hospitality Development» acted as signatories of the memoranda.
Moscow DMC agencies and the business community are about twenty companies that participated in B2B negotiations.
The delegation’s partnership was highly appreciated at the state level. Deputy Mayor of Moscow Natalia Sergunina noted: «The new agreements involve strengthening business ties between relevant organizations, sharing experiences and mutual support for industry projects. These agreements will help attract even more foreign travelers to Moscow.»
Фото: Зеленченковой Т.В,VDNKH: Moscow shows how to capitalize on legacy
Vladimir Berezin clearly showed how Moscow promotes VDNH not just as a location for park walks, but as a full-fledged tourist cluster. Two infrastructure projects have aroused tremendous interest:
«Orion» «» All—season Space Amusement Park» is a family entertainment venue with a unique Aerial tramway and an extreme «Stratosphere» carousel.
The updated «Rocket» light—dynamic fountain — after modernization on the Industrial Square, the complex simulates the roar of spacecraft engines during the day, and in the evenings it organizes large-scale shows.
Signatures that will become routes
The main practical outcome of the forum was the signing of two fundamental documents.
First. ANO «Moscow» Project Office for Tourism and Hospitality Development, represented by Bulat Nurmukhanov, and «Astana Tourism» LLP, represented by Artem Kvashuk, Chairman of the Board, and Sayat Oraztai, Director of the Infrastructure Department, have signed a memorandum of cooperation — a long-term strategy to increase mutual tourist flow through joint festivals, cross-marketing projects, and experience exchange.
Second. «An agreement» was signed between the Moscow Project Office for the Development of Tourism and Hospitality and the «Turistik Kamkor» Corporate Foundation. This document links the system of protection of Kazakhstani tourists with the Moscow tourism infrastructure, creating a precedent for interstate coordination at the level of industry organizations.
The cultural code of Moscow in the heart of Astana
In addition to the B2B track, Moscow brought to Astana a vibrant interactive exhibition organized by Mostourism. Projects «»Moscow Tea Party» with a tasting of the capital’s pastries and «Moscow Manor» with a historical retro studio have become the center of attraction for guests. The delegates of the «Moskino» Film Park presented their tourist and filming facilities.
Anniversary Gala Dinner: an international triumph
The gala dinner organized by Inna Yurievna Ray in honor of the 10th anniversary of the «Turistik Kamkor» Corporate Foundation was the solemn conclusion of the business day. Not only Kazakh and Russian delegates gathered in the hall, but also representatives of the largest tour operators from Turkey, Southeast Asian countries and the Middle East.
The highlight of the evening was the award ceremony for leading international and national tour operators who have contributed to the formation of a transparent and secure market. At the end, the guests were greeted with a birthday cake created specifically for the tenth anniversary of the «Kamkor» system.
Фото: Зеленченковой Т.В.The voice of the forum
During the forum, Elena Aleksandrovna Kretova, a recognized tourism expert and a leading employee of the Omsk Feliz travel agency, provided invaluable information support and assistance in getting to know the leading operators of the tourism business. In her fifteen years in the industry, she has visited more than thirty countries. In recent years, her professional focus has shifted to Kazakhstan: Omsk and Kazakhstan are connected by a territorial neighborhood, and Feliz Agency is actively developing partnerships with Kazakhstani colleagues.
A view from the press box
The «SAYAKHAT 2026» forum has become a clear confirmation that tourism is one of the most effective tools of public diplomacy today. By exchanging experiences, concluding agreements and opening the doors of our cities to each other, we are making our peoples even closer. Moscow, Astana and their international partners have demonstrated an exemplary example of synergy.
«Astana» said goodbye to us with the smell of the steppe and the taste of Moscow tea, VDNKH promised new fountains, «Infoflot» — new routes, «Moskino» — new decorations, and Inna Ray — new decades of protection. «SAYAHAT 2027» has every chance of bringing together not thirteen countries, but half the planet.
Фото: Зеленченковой Т.В.
A special report from the Kazakhstan Travel Forum «SAYAKHAT 2026» was prepared by Zelenchenkova T.V.
