To boost revenues of local bodies, Kazakhstan has introduced a daily tourist fee that can be fixed in the range of USD 1.49-3.72 by local councils.

Kazakhstan has introduced tourist fees at fixed rates ranging from about USD 1.49-3.72, as determined maslikhats or local representative bodies. This was declared by Kazakh Minister of Culture and Sports Askhat Oralov, says the ministry’s press service.

The maslikhats can adjust the tourist fee rates depending on the number of foreign tourists compared to the previous year. If there are fewer tourists, the rate may be reduced to the minimum sum. If tourist numbers increase, the fee can be raised within the established range.

The press statement says that the tourist fee can change based on season, but only up to two times per year. The fee is charged for each day of stay at the time of check-in at accommodation facilities, excluding hostels, guest houses, and rental housing in cities and districts. It is not included in the accommodation’s price. Also, a full-day fee is charged for partial days of stay.

According to Vice Minister of Culture and Sports Yerzhan Yerkinbayev, the shift from a percentage-based fee to an MCI-based fee was considered following the meetings with entrepreneurs and hotel owners after the tourist fee introduction in early 2023.

“Such fees are a global practice that does not inconvenience tourists while contributing to budgets of local administrations,” he said.

Currently, the ministry is working on classifying categories of people exempted from paying the fee, but it may take longer, as any changes would require law amendments.

Since the beginning of 2023, local budgets have received about KZT 314 million or USD 677,972 from foreign tourists’ contributions.

Last year, Kazakhstan earned a record KZT 389 billion or USD 841.9 million from around 1 million foreign tourists.