Shymkent has become one of the most rapidly developing tourist centers in Kazakhstan in recent years. According to the results of the first 9 months of 2025, the number of tourists visiting the city exceeded 406 thousand. The majority of them are domestic tourists, while more than 29 thousand are foreign guests. These indicators clearly indicate that the tourist attractiveness of Shymkent is increasing every year.
The accommodation infrastructure in the city is also developing rapidly. Today, 159 hotels and other accommodation facilities operate in Shymkent. The number of rooms has exceeded 4 thousand, and the number of beds has reached 8,700. This is an increase of more than 20 percent compared to last year. The volume of services provided by accommodation facilities has exceeded 10.3 billion tenge, an increase of 24.5 percent in one year.
The volume of investments in the tourism sector is also significant. In 2024–2025, it is planned to open 12 new hotels in the city, 7 of which have already been put into operation. In the near future, the construction of an international-class Hilton hotel will begin, which will be commissioned in 2026. In addition, the Omir Shymkent glamping project will be implemented on the territory of the Badam reservoir, which will give impetus to the development of modern recreation and ecotourism.
In order to increase the tourist potential of Shymkent, special attention is paid to the modernization of sacred and cultural facilities. The territory of the "Ibragim Ata" and "Karachash Ana" mausoleums has been improved, creating favorable conditions for tourists. In 2026, it is planned to reconstruct a number of historical facilities in the Sairam area.
Today, 17 tourist routes operate in the city. Among them, the international route Turkestan - Tashkent - Aksu-Zhabagaly - Shymkent is in high demand among tourists. 24 tour operators and 120 travel agencies are engaged in the provision of tourist services. And as a result of the launch of a new air terminal, direct flights from Shymkent to 8 foreign cities have been opened.
Digital solutions are being actively introduced to improve the quality of service. The "Visit Shymkent" tourist portal, 3D routes, QR codes, navigation boards and tourist information centers allow city guests to quickly obtain the necessary information. In addition, special tourist police officers and "SOS" alarm buttons have been installed to ensure the safety of tourists.
In general, tourism development in Shymkent is being carried out systematically and comprehensively. Infrastructure, services, security, and international accessibility are developing simultaneously, and the city is taking a firm step towards becoming not only a regional, but also an international tourist destination.

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