INTRO
Kazakhstan’s most lively, youthful and diverse city, Almaty, has become known as the cradle of apples. The city and its surrounding mountainous plateau were recognised as the birthplace of the apple. Almaty is a city with a turbulent history. Its buildings were entirely destructed in 1911 when a catastrophic earthquake struck the city, and numerous floods tore down its most imposing buildings, yet, time and time again, its people remained adamant and determined to rebuild the city. Once the capital of the former Kazakh SSR, the city quickly developed after Kazakhstan gained independence in 1991. Although tourism was practically non-existent until 2011, the city has quickly transformed into a bustling regional hub for meetings and events. More importantly, its natural diversity, tidy horticulture across the city parks and snow-covered mountains in the vicinity have made Almaty the city where every Kazakhstani wishes to go. The natural climate is more favourable than in Astana, and the people are genuinely glad to welcome everyone. Almaty’s streets are dotted with numerous restaurants, ranging from local gastronomy to international food chains. As the locals say, Almaty is a place they would never leave and a city that lives and breathes as a community.
To become a globally-appealing destination that will attract international conferences and events, Almaty will have to position itself as the heart of Eurasia. As a cosmopolitan city with a distinctly European ambience, it can edge out its competition by highlighting its nomadic traditions and rich history. Given its natural beauty, the proactiveness of local tourism stakeholders and the enticing offer of hotels and venues, the city only needs a nudge in the right direction. The sprawling business district is attracting international corporations, whereas the downtown of Almaty has retained its image as a mix of ethnic communities that co-exist harmoniously. With 130 ethnic groups living across Kazakhstan, harmony is key in the city. It is hard to overlook the city’s potential in the quickly-emerging Asian congress market. We recommend visiting the city while it is still an under-the-radar destination.
NEED TO KNOW IN 2023
Among the plentiful hotels in Almaty, the iconic first five-star hotel, Rahat Palace Hotel, set the standards for architectural design in the seventies. It featured European-influenced single elevators shining in golden hues, a vast atrium and a lobby surrounded by greenery. Although the hotel is not the newest, it is tidily maintained, and its service is impeccable. Almaty is generally a city of contrastive architecture, where the brutalist socialist architecture is complemented by new skyrises and emerging international hotel chains. That mix of history and future is evident when strolling the main city promenade, where towering administrative buildings from socialism clash with Western-inspired business edifices, now home to international corporations such as Microsoft and Logitech.
Among the newly-opened hotels, the imposing Grand Mildom Hotel is an ideal choice for staying close to the city centre, while the Novotel Living Almaty Jetisu presents the perfect choice for modern travellers seeking luxury and convenience at the same time. Almaty, set on the Silk Road, is a destination that will recalibrate your perspective on Kazakhstan. The “Very Nice!” campaign, borrowed from the famous catchphrase from the Borat film, also facilitated tourism. Projects like that make Almaty a surprisingly advanced and vibrant destination, far from the stereotypes.
DID YOU KNOW?
The first association when considering Kazakhstan is most probably not skiing. Yet, just outside Almaty, Shymbulak Mountain Resort has become a regional skiing hotspot, resembling Alpine skiing destinations. At the foot of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains, we embarked on a gondola to the Shymbulak Mountain Resort, where 2,500 metres above ground, avid skiers tackle steep slopes, and fanciful adrenaline seekers lean over the edges to see the views. The resort resembles a cosmopolitan mix of Alpine, Himalayan and Kazakh traditions. A charming open gondola took us up the sloping hills to the top, where a trendy cafe overlooks the valley dotted with pine trees and sloping hills. Snow still covers the slopes in late June. The ski resort was recently fitted with new cable cars and has seen a swift tourism development. Tourists from Central Asia flock to the resort year-round, some opting for hiking, others for taking selfies with falcons. The mountain resort is arguably one of the city’s greatest advantages, as no other regional city has a modern ski resort just thirty minutes from the city centre.
BEST INCENTIVE IDEA
Birds of prey show
Almaty is an ideal starting point for experiencing the traditional national culture and the beauty of the landscape. Here, visitors can try horseback riding, skiing, hiking, biking, or enjoy a unique show of birds of prey. At Sunkar Falconry Center, the experienced falconer Paul will unravel the world of these admirable animals and give you a chance to feed them. The animals include falcons, vultures and hawks, making the show a unique doorway to understanding falconry, deeply rooted in the history of the region.
BEST KEPT SECRETS
Horseriding in The Huns’ Ethno Village
Kazakhstan is considered the country where horse riding was born. Wild horses were tamed centuries ago in the mountains of Kazakhstan. Still today, horseriding is intrinsically connected to the local heritage and culture. To understand what the noble animals mean to Kazakhstanis, we recommend visiting The Huns’ Ethno Village, where experienced riders perform stunts while riding their horses, sending chills down the spectators’ spines. Here, visitors also get a first-hand look at the life of the nomadic tribes that once roamed the endless steppes of the vast country. Listening to a musical trio comprising two grandmothers and a grandson playing the dombra, a traditional string instrument, is a unique way to understand their culture. Within the ethno village, a Yurt, the nomadic dwellings of the tribes, proudly welcome guests, opening their eyes to the colourful array of traditional carpets and patterns. The people of Kazakhstan cherish horses, and the best way to understand their connection is to saddle one up.
PERFECT GIFT
Almaty’s varied cultural heritage is reflected in the people’s traditional ornamental attire – the chapan. Traditionally made from wool, it features ornate patterns and stunning colours. Otherwise, the city is full of local markets, and we suggest you head to the Zelony Bazaar, where you can try their renowned horse meat or find fresh fruit and vegetables. Bukhara carpets are another traditional handcrafted product featuring detailed patterns. They were already made by the nomadic tribes millennia ago and continue to be one of the symbols of Almaty, found in numerous restaurants and bars alike.
TOP EVENTS IN 2023
Among numerous conferences and expos that take place in Almaty, the following five will be in the limelight:
International Conference Wireless Eurasia (25 – 26 May 2023)
W: http://eurasiaweb.com/Conference/41438/EUIWNMC/
The spirit of Tengri (10 – 11 June 2023)
W: https://spiritoftengri.com/
Aquatherm Almaty 2023 (6 – 8 September 2023)
W: https://aquatherm-almaty.kz/en/
Mining and Metals Central Asia 2023 (20 – 22 September 2023)
W: https://mining-metals.kz/en/
Central Asia Dental Expo 2023 (18 – 20 October 2023)
W: https://cadex.kz/en/
FOODIES
The culinary scene in Almaty is fast developing; from high-end cuisine and corner shops to local vendors selling fresh produce, Almaty has it all. We suggest booking a table at Sanydyk Restaurant, serving traditional dishes with a modern twist. With plenty of hearty dishes, the local cuisine is rich and flavourful. We relished the besbarmaq, a national dish comprising horse meat, potatoes and soup. We suggest trying the local tea and fresh kiwi lemonade, which go hand in hand with the dishes. The cuisine in Kazakhstan is a combination of Eastern cuisine and still resembles the traditional dishes prepared by the nomads. One of the most famous dishes is baursak, a piece of fried yeast dough, usually served next to a glass of katyk, a fermented cow milk product. Food lovers will certainly appreciate the richness of dishes, usually presented on charming wooden plates. The plates are wooden because the nomadic tribes had to transport them when they travelled from place to place. That tradition has survived to this day.
ALMATY IN A FEW WORDS
The city of Almaty is a conglomerate of the finest cuisine, culture, landscape and hospitality across Central Asia. Almaty exudes a European charm, but its culture and heritage are undeniably Asian. Still, the two sides go hand in hand, and it seems the city is eager to welcome more visitors from Europe and the rest of the world. Perhaps not as modern as the capital, Astana, but with a fantastic offer, including the mountains watching over the city, the city is poised to welcome new business. We have no doubts the city will become the regional leader in the meetings industry, given international corporations have already started investing. Above all, Almaty is a destination that debunks myths about Kazakhstan and leaves you speechless with its beauty.
