Kairat Sadvakasov has officially stepped down from his position as Chairman of the Management Board of KazakhTourism, following a decision by the company’s Board of Directors. His successor, Daniel Serzhanuly, who has served as Deputy Chairman since January 2024, has been appointed Acting Head of Kazakhstan’s national tourism company.
A founding figure of Kazakh Tourism, Sadvakasov has been instrumental in shaping and executing the organization’s strategic vision since its inception. In his previous role as Deputy Chairman, he spearheaded initiatives across marketing, digital transformation, investment attraction, and regional development. His leadership as Chairman marked a period of rapid growth in Kazakhstan’s global tourism profile.
Under his tenure, Kazakhstan welcomed a record 15.3 million international tourists in 2024, driven by targeted promotions, infrastructure development, and high-profile international features. The country earned recognition from major global travel publications including The New York Times, Wanderlust, Condé Nast Traveler, and Lonely Planet, cementing its place among the world’s must-visit destinations.
Kazakhstan also advanced 27 places in the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Development Index, reaching 52nd position globally.
A major strategic focus in 2024 was enhancing tourism ties with China. The Year of Kazakh Tourism in China campaign proved highly successful, doubling the number of Chinese tourist arrivals to 657,000.
Key policy contributions during Sadvakasov’s leadership included the development of legislative proposals related to agritourism and hotel classification, which are currently under parliamentary review. Furthermore, comprehensive Development Plans for priority destinations outlined by the President of Kazakhstan were formulated, alongside future-oriented concepts for space tourism at Baikonur and ecotourism in East Kazakhstan’s Katon-Karagai region.
Kairat Sadvakasov will continue his engagement in the tourism industry within the private sphere.
