NATAS and Kazakhstan Sign MOU to Promote Tourism

The National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Astana Expo-2017 to promote Kazakhstan as a tourist destination to its members, and to work closely to develop the product knowledge of the travel industries in the respective countries on a reciprocal basis.

Astana Expo-2017 is a national company formed by the Republic of Kazakhstan to promote tourism to Kazakhstan.

Mr. Rapil Zhoshybayev, Commissioner of Astana Expo-2017 and a member of the Senior Management team at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, said, “Singapore is the gateway for South East Asia and is an important hub. With this MOU, we hope that NATAS will be able to promote Kazakhstan through its outbound travel agents. In order to attract Singaporeans to visit Kazakhstan, our government has unilaterally waived visa entry. There are also plans to launch direct flights between Kazakhstan and Singapore in the near future.”

At the recent NATAS Travel Fair 2016 in March, the National Tourism Bureau of the Republic of Kazakhstan participated as an exhibitor for the first time. The booth attracted many visitors and received numerous enquiries about Kazakhstan.

Mr. Devinder Ohri, President of NATAS, said, “Singaporeans are well-travelled and Kazakhstan being a relatively “new” destination for them to explore, may well be one of the next destinations on their travel horizon. Kazakhstan, as we’re learning, is a beautiful country, with its wildlife, geographical diversity and rich culture. It will offer many unique experiences for Singaporeans. I look forward to the partnership to promote not only Kazakhstan as a prime holiday destination amongst Singaporeans but to also develop programmes closely that will boost the tourism sector in both countries.”

Next year, Singapore will host the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2017 in January. NATAS will be inviting travel trade counterparts from the Republic of Kazakhstan to attend TRAVEX 2017- a major component of ASEAN Tourism Forum 2017. See links to videos from ATF 2016 in Manila below.

See also: Kazakhstan Tourism Update Interview from JATA 2016, Pictures from Almaty and Astana in Kazakhstan (2015), Interview with President and CEO of Air Astana - Mr. Peter Foster OBE (2015), Interview with GM of The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty (2015), HD Video of Astana (2011), Interview with Peter Foster, President of Air Astana (2011), Interview with Interim GM of Radisson Astana (2011), and HD Video of Almaty (2011).

HD Videos from ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2016 in Manila, Philippines: Philippine Airlines HD Video Interview with Jaime J. Bautista, President & COO, Philippines Tourism Press Conference / Update at ATF 2016, Sharia Law and Brunei Tourism Question at ATF 2016 in Manila, Indonesia Tourism Press Conference at ATF 2016, Cambodia Tourism Press Conference at ATF 2016, Tourism Authority of Thailand Press Conference at ATF 2016, Premier Inn's Expansion Plans for Asia Pacific - HD Video Interview at ATF 2016, HD Video Interview with Bambi M. Samson, Director of Sales, One of Collection (Philippines), Laos Tourism Press Conference at ATF 2016, Myanmar Tourism Press Conference at ATF 2016 and Exclusive HD Video Interview with Bruno Cristol GM of Dusit Thani Manila, as well as many other HD Videos.

See other recent news regarding: NATAS, Singapore, Kazakhstan, Air Astana, Almaty, Astana