Kazakhstan has become the first country in the CIS to incorporate mobile data into official tourism statistics. This groundbreaking initiative is being implemented by the Bureau of National Statistics with the support of the World Bank and aligns with the Head of State’s directives to introduce innovative approaches to data management.

The use of mobile positioning data allows for a new level of monitoring tourist flows by capturing real movements of people, including day trips and visits without overnight stays, which were previously not accounted for in traditional statistics. As a result, the statistics become more accurate, cover a greater number of events, and provide an objective picture of tourism activity.

Preliminary results of the project, conducted using data from one of the mobile operators for the period from July 2023 to July 2024, have already yielded important insights. It was found that over 60% of domestic trips are single-day visits. The highest tourist traffic was observed during the summer months and holiday periods—especially during Nauryz, New Year, and Victory Day. The record number of overnight stays away from home was registered on March 21, 2024, at the peak of spring holidays. Residents of Astana most frequently traveled to the Akmola region and Almaty, despite the difference in distance. Significant seasonality, with a threefold difference between peak and least active months, opens new opportunities for tourism planning.

All these issues were discussed at a thematic seminar and working meeting involving representatives of the World Bank, where preliminary results were presented and next development steps outlined. International experts highly appreciated Kazakhstan’s progress in digitalizing statistics and developing new data sources.

Kazakhstan continues close cooperation with the Estonian company Positium—an international partner in developing mobile data analysis algorithms. The World Bank actively supports the project, notably through the involvement of its economist and consultant, Metin Nebiler. “Kazakhstan is setting the standard for digital statistics across the CIS and the region. This project is not just a technical innovation but a genuine breakthrough that changes the approach to measuring tourist flows and expands the horizons of analytics,” notes M. Nebiler.

Currently, work is underway to sign agreements with telecom operators, which will allow expanding coverage and transitioning to regular publication of statistics based on mobile positioning not only in tourism but also in the migration sphere.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/stat/press/news/details/1018962?lang=kk