Direct flight between Almaty and Kuala Lumpur is set to commence in March. Galiya Tokseitova, head of Almaty's tourism department made the announcement today, as reported by the city's administration press service.
The level of foreign tourist influx to Almaty is intricately tied to the availability of air services, noted Tokseitova. Today, the Kazakh metropolis is linked to 42 direct destinations and enjoys a visa-free regime with 82 countries worldwide. The direct air route to the capital of Malaysia to be launched in March is expected to enhance the connectivity.
Speaking of inbound tourism, Tokseitova emphasized the importance of the construction of a new terminal at Almaty International Airport, set to be completed in June 2024. This terminal is projected to accommodate up to 14 million passengers annually. Projections for 2024 indicate a surge in foreign tourist numbers, reaching an estimated 520,000 people.