Yulia Vorobyova • 14.05.2026, 04:55 • Exclusive
Negotiations are ongoing at the government level between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan regarding the status of Kyrgyz tourist companies in Kazakhstan, but so far they have not yielded results. This was reported by Sergey Glukhoverov, a member of the board of the Kyrgyz Association of Tour Operators.
According to the expert, previously the interaction between the countries in the tourism sector was more free. Kyrgyz companies could freely organize tours to Kazakhstan, including popular destinations such as Charyn, Kolsai Lakes, and Kayindy. Similarly, Kazakh tour operators could work in Kyrgyzstan without problems, bringing tourists to Issyk-Kul.
However, as Glukhoverov noted, over the past two years, Kazakhstan has tightened requirements for the activities of tour companies from Kyrgyzstan. Now Kyrgyz vehicles and guides can only carry out transfers between points, for example, from the airport to the border. Stops for lunch in Almaty or visits to tourist sites such as Medeo or Charyn are considered illegal activities, since no taxes are paid for such services and local companies should receive these orders.
In the current situation, Glukhoverov considers it reasonable to introduce mirror measures, but the Kyrgyz side so far prefers to continue the dialogue with Kazakhstan.
In his opinion, a significant flow of tourists, following the Great Silk Road, crosses several countries. If this process is divided into segments, it may lead to an increase in the cost of tours and a decrease in travelers’ interest.
As for interaction with Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz tour companies bring tourists to Tashkent, where they transfer to local buses and use the services of Uzbek guides.
Sergey Glukhoverov also noted that a trip to one of the region’s countries can be expensive, while the opportunity to see three countries at once is more attractive and economically beneficial. ‘More tourists and more affordable tours,’ he summed up.
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