Ski resort peak's summit welcomes guests at the new tourist center in "Shymbulak"
In a recent visit to Almaty, Deputy Prime Minister Eraly Tugzhanov highlighted the city's commitment to sustainable, eco-friendly tourism models that promote public health and well-being.
Key developments in the region include the Alatau Amanaty project, launched in July 2025. This ambitious initiative aims to create a vast national trail system spanning over 1,200 kilometers, linking natural, historical, and cultural sites such as the Ile-Alatau National Park and hot springs like Alma-Arasan. The trail system promotes mountain eco-tourism and health tourism by encouraging outdoor activities and visits to therapeutic natural springs.
The large-scale expansion of the Almaty mountain cluster is another significant initiative. Plans include new tourist zones and resort infrastructure near places like Kok-Zhailau and Shymbulak. This includes hiking trails, cable cars, and service facilities designed with environmental safety standards to enhance eco-tourism while preserving the region’s mountainous ecosystem.
A green corridor along the Almaty–Konaev highway is also being developed, transforming infrastructure into a thriving ecological zone. This 50-kilometer greenway incorporates tree planting, biodiversity, and public recreational spaces with facilities like playgrounds and picnic areas, promoting local wellness, outdoor activity, and environmental stewardship.
In addition, tourism infrastructure such as glamping sites, rescue stations, and visitor centers are being developed along tourist trails to enhance comfort and accessibility for eco and health tourists. These initiatives support community involvement and sustainable economic development in rural areas.
The Tenir Eco Hotel, set to open by the end of the year, is a prime example of these sustainable tourism initiatives. The glamping zone will offer panoramic views of the Zailiysky Alatau peaks, with eco-houses assembled in Kazakh factories and equipped with recycling systems for environmental preservation.
Tugzhanov inspected several tourist facilities during his visit, including the visitor center at the highest point of the "Shymbulak" ski resort, which provides information, souvenirs, equipment rentals, and services for various activities. He also visited the construction site of Tenir Eco Hotel.
The "Shymbulak" ski and snowboard school, the largest in Kazakhstan, annually holds over 10,000 lessons with more than 15,000 students. Around 1000 km of mountain hiking trails have been digitized in Almaty over three years, with 25 trails totaling 325 km improved.
The city of Almaty is attracting private investments in the tourism sector, with two visitor centers built on the city's main attractions this year using private funds. The visitor center at "Medeu" base station, launched in early December, marks the start of the "Health Trail" free educational eco-tourism project. The center includes a tourist information center, an "adventure office," and a comfortable food court.
These initiatives demonstrate Kazakhstan’s and Almaty’s commitment to integrating sustainable, eco-friendly tourism models with public health and well-being, aligning with Tugzhanov’s focus on environmentally conscious development and tourist infrastructure that benefits both visitors and local communities.
- Departing from the eco-friendly ethos of Almaty, one can envision a lifestyle that blends home-and-garden activities with travel, discovering the natural beauty of the region through hiking trails and visits to therapeutic hot springs like Alma-Arasan, while staying in sustainable glamping sites such as the Tenir Eco Hotel.
- Expanding beyond these tourism endeavors, sports enthusiasts might find the opportunity to combine travel with their passion for athletics, perhaps participating in mountain eco-tourism activities or skiing lessons at the Shymbulak ski resort, enhancing their lifestyle in the process.
