Number of tourists from China to Kazakhstan increased twelvefold with introduction of visa-free regimeThe mutual visa-free regime has increased the number of tourists from China to Kazakhstan twelvefold, Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Republic Ermek Marzhikpayev said.“Thanks to the introduction of a 14-day visa-free regime for Chinese citizens in July 2022 and a mutual visa-free regime from November 2023, the number of visitors from this country increased from 18,000 to 217,000,” Marzhikpayev said on Friday at an extended meeting of the department board.In addition, he noted, after the introduction of a 14-day visa-free regime, there has been a threefold increase in the number of visitors from India - from 28,000 in 2022 to 78,000 in 2023.The minister added that today a visa-free regime is established with 82 countries, including such large tourist markets as China and India.The agreement on a visa-free regime between Kazakhstan and the PRC came into force in November 2023. According to Article 1 of this agreement, citizens of the two countries are exempt from visa requirements “for the purposes of private affairs, tourism, medical treatment, international transport, transit, and business purposes.”It is noted that the period of stay of citizens on the territory of two states should not exceed 30 calendar days from the moment of crossing the state border, and a total of 90 calendar days within 180 calendar days. The visa-free regime does not provide the right to work, study or missionary activity. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX