BusinessTravel Guide
ASTANA
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Kazakhstan’s new capital
A S T A N A
ASTANA Kazakhstan’s new capital Building on the back of the grand successes of EXPO 2017, Astana is looking to make further strides on the global stage Writer: Jonathan Dyble | Project Manager: Joe Palliser
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ASTANA, BY BOTH name and history, is a relatively young city. Granted town status in 1832, it has risen to lofty heights in the 186 years since, standing as a fine example of a planned city. Having been named Astana and made the capital of Kazakhstan by 1998, Astana is now home to more than 1,000,000 people – testament to the
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effective execution of the Astana Master Plan, led by famed Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa and aided by other leading names such as Norman Foster. Now known as the ‘Singapore of the Steppes’, the modern metropolis features some of Western Asia’s most impressive architectural wonders and sculptural masterpieces, most evidently reflected by the Baiterek Tower – a 97-metre-tall symbol for the city as the national capital. Visiting Astana, it is hard not to be in awe of what the Master Plan has achieved in the past 21 years, not only from looking at some of these towering structures, but also through its transport networks and commercial success. With an estimated population density of 1,300 people per square kilometre, the city is a far cry from the rest of the country that comparatively has just 6.75 people per square kilometre, with the arid Steppes making up the majority of the world’s ninth largest country.
EME FACTS & FIGURES
Languages: Area: Population (2013): Currency: Time zone: Dialling code: Internet TLD: Climate: Highest recorded temperature:
Kazakh, Russian 722 km² 814,435 Kazakhstani tenge GMT+6 +7 .kz continental 41.6°C
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A S T A N A
The Business End FORECAST TO REACH a population of two million by 2030, Astana is a city that’s continually on the up. Not only the capital, but the country as a whole substantially bolstered its international reputation last year after Astana hosted the successful EXPO 2017 – a world leading international exposition held between June 10 and September 10 that welcomed more than 3.8 million visitors. Centred around a theme of enhancing and exploring the future possibilities of energy in achieving
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global sustainable development, the expo itself echoed this innovative outlook through the Nur Alem, a structure that is renowned as the world’s largest spherical building. Looking ahead, in the wake of the successes of EXPO 2017, the city is set to host a number of major global events in the coming year, namely the eighth United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Global Summit on Urban Tourism in 2019. With UNWTO standing as the leading international body responsible
for the promotion of sustainable and universally acceptable tourism, the conference is expected to attract leading tourism experts from all over the globe to Astana. “Driven by the attention generated by EXPO 2017, the last three years have seen a drastic growth in the tourism sector. Now it is time to sail in these tailwinds and further promote the city and the region,” says Helena Mahuas, Deputy Director of the Astana Convention Bureau.
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Out & About
ONE OF THE main attractions of Astana is undoubtedly its visionary architecture. The Khan Shatyr is said to best reflect this. Standing as the world’s largest tent, the project that has become one of the most remarkable shopping districts in the world. Unveiled in 2006, it remains just as impressive today as it was 12 years ago. An area spanning the same length as 10 football fields can be found underneath its roof, featuring an indoor beach resort, boat river and a shopping centre that stretches for many hundreds of metres. Equally, the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, City Park, Hazrat Mosque and the State Theatre of
Opera are also completely unique structures that are worth a visit, each standing as a unique display of the city’s architectural amazements. Meanwhile, despite a growing commercial presence across the city, Astana’s Soviet history has not been forgotten. Formerly known as Akmolinsk until 1961 before it was renamed as Tselinograd (1961-62) and then as Agmola (1992-98), Astana sits along the Ishim River at the crossroads of the Trans-Kazakhstan and South Siberian Railways. The city was readily made a Russian stronghold throughout the Cold War, influences that are particularly reflected in older parts of the city. Taking a walk through the old town
is of stark contrast to the more modern areas with the charm of local businesses and lively local-filled sidewalks. Outside of the city, it is recommended to travel to Burabay National Park – an area that can be the perfect escape from Astana’s expansive urban environment, with the park readymade for outdoor activities such as cycling, hiking and rock climbing.
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A S T A N A
Astana Convention Bureau SPEAKING TO EME Outlook, Mahuas is quick to emphasise that there’s a lot to be excited about in Astana, and not just in way of its rising reputation as an international conference and events hub. Having been established in 2015, the Astana Convention Bureau has come to the forefront of the city’s tourism industry, promoting a number of prospects across the city from the business end to its leisure offerings. In this exclusive interview with Mahaus, we find out more about what’s on offer in the capital and what’s going to be happening throughout the city over the coming months.
Astana Convention Bureau mainly focused on events organised by the City of Astana as well as activities associated with Astana EXPO 2017. This was the largest international event that Kazakhstan has ever hosted, attracting four million visitors in a period of three months with over 110 participating countries and international organisations. The initial setting up phase as well as EXPO itself have been ideal vectors and a platform for the implementation of our wider tourism strategy, both surrounding leisure and business, as well as the development of the destination approach involving key players such as hotels, agencies, tour operators and other organisations. EME Outlook (EMEO): Since Since the EXPO, the scope of our inception, how has the Astana services has further enlarged, and four Convention Bureau developed and main departments have been clearly progressed in terms of its key objectives defined within the Astana Convention and the messages it tries to get across? Bureau: MICE, events, infrastructure Helena Mahaus (HM): Initially the and marketing.
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Each of these have a specific role and focus in order to promote the city and destination. EMEO: To this end, how would you say Astana has developed in recent years as a business travel hub and what are the key reasons behind its growing appeal? HM: Following the establishment of Astana as the new capital of Kazakhstan and the vision of President Nazarbayev to position the new capital as the leading destination of Central Asia, much has been done. Many new hotels, including those from international brands, have been built and opened alongside new congress facilities, a new airport terminal and airline routes, and a railway station. Equally, Air Astana has gained international recognition within Central Asia, whilst the creation of the Astana Convention Bureau itself can also be considered a major tourism milestone.
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Astana and Kazakhstan, with their unique location, are referred as to the Heart of Eurasia. The energy associated with the city’s development has been essential in maximising its appeal. EMEO: Taking a more general industry stance, how would you evaluate the tourism sector in Astana now compared to its condition when the Convention Bureau began? HM: In 2015 there were 1,500 international hotel rooms. Now we are at almost 3,000 rooms. Major brands such as Ritz Carlton, St Regis, and Hilton have all opened their doors in last two years. Equally, in the last few years Air Astana and other local airlines have opened many new routes or increased their frequency, while other international airlines took on the opportunity to launch flight routes to Kazakhstan. EMEO: What is in store for Astana over the course of 2018 and beyond to continue the good work
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already commenced and to enhance its reputation as a tourism and business travel hub further in the future? HM: Three main areas have been defined as objectives and strategic goals for 2019. We aim to increase the level of international business in Astana, on both the association and corporate sides. We aim to leverage the MICE industry to international standards,
“In three-five years’ time, we would like Astana to be recognised as the natural venue of choice for regional and international meetings and events...”
EME creating a friendly cooperative environment in an attempt to increase our profile on the world stage. And we aim to raise Astana Convention Bureau’s capacities based in line with international standards, positioning Astana and Kazakhstan as a world leader. EMEO: Finally, looking forward, if we were to speak again in three-five year’s time, what progress and development would you hope and expect to be able to report back? HM: In three-five years’ time, we would like Astana to be recognised as the natural venue of choice for regional and international meetings and events, with Astana Convention Bureau having established itself as a professional and experienced institution. Astana is an exciting tourist and MICE destination that provides international travellers, organisers and delegates a range of unique combination of local experience in and out of the city, and every visitor feels welcomed and valued.
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A S T A N A
Outlook Recommends “The country’s new capital has risen fast from the northern steppe and is already a showpiece for 21st-century Kazakhstan” – Lonely Planet
HOSPITALITY
Rixos President Astana Hotel Rixos President Astana offers a supremely luxurious holiday experience with its superior quality and excellence in the capital of Kazakhstan. The aesthetic but functional design, elegant rooms, restaurants and bars, as well as its central location, make Rixos President Astana the perfect place for your stay.
Kazzhol Hotel Astana 8
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MUSEUMS
MONUMENTS & STATUES
National Museum of Kazakhstan
Monument to Bogenbai Batyr
President’s Center of Culture and Museum
Abai Kunanbayev Monument
Kazakhstan Military History Museum
Monument to the Soldiers of World War II
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE HOTEL THAT IS BEYOND THE CUSTOMERS’ DREAMS AND EXPECTATIONS
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A S T A N A
Transport Links
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helpful in planning routes and checking times, offering a cheap and convenient way of getting about. Equally, Astana has a significant number of taxi drivers, whilst Uber is also up and running. PHOTO: PASCAL KOBEH
FOLLOWING 1997, THE Astana International Airport underwent significant renovation, overseen by Kisho Kurokawa himself, in order to raise it up to international standards. Further expansions were then completed in time for EXPO 2017 when a second terminal was opened. As a result, passenger traffic was recorded at just short of 4.3 million last year – a 24.9 percent rise on 2016’s figures and more than double the 1.98 million passengers that were recorded in 2011. In terms of navigating the inner streets themselves, the capital’s transport networks are another significant reflection of its innovative structure. Astana Bike Docking stations can be found all over the city, where bicycles can be rented for a daily access fee of T500. Meanwhile, bus routes are well established, running from approximately 6am to 11pm, with a single trip ticket costing roughly T90. The Astra bus app, available to all tourists on smart devices, is particularly
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Landmark Attractions Nur Alem
Khan Satyr
“The Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center is designed to provide the city with a range of civic, cultural and social amenities all sheltered within a climatic envelope - ‘a world within’ - that offers a comfortable microclimate all year round, whatever the weather” – Foster and Partners
Baiterek Tower
BY CHELSEAFUNNUMBERONE - OWN WORK, CC BY-SA 4.0
“Lifts glide visitors up inside the egg, where you can ponder the symbolism, enjoy expansive views and place your hand in a print of President Nazarbayev’s palm while gazing towards his palace” – Lonely Planet
Palace of Peace and Reconciliation
“Representing all of the world’s religious faiths, the Palace houses educational facilities, a national center for Kazakhstan’s various geographical and ethnic groups, and a 1,500-seat opera house” – Atlas Obscura
BY NINARAS - OWN WORK, CC BY-SA 4.0
BY ALBERT BERGONZO - OWN WORK, CC BY-SA 4.0
“More than just a museum, Nur Alem is a kind of innovative hub and an important research and cultural centre” – Expedia
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BusinessTravel Guide joe.palliser@outlookpublishing.com
+44 (0)1603 959 676
ryan.gray@outlookpublishing.com
+44 (0)1603 959 672
jordan.levey@outlookpublishing.com
+44 (0)1603 959 668
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