Kazakhstan is the ninth-largest country by area and the largest landlocked country. Tourism is not a major component of the economy. As of 2014, tourism has accounted for 0.3% of Kazakhstan GDP, but the government had plans to increase it to 3% by 2020.^{[1][2][needs update]}

According to the World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017, travel and tourism industry GDP in Kazakhstan is $3.08 billion or 1.6 percent of total GDP. The WEF ranks Kazakhstan 81st in its 2017 report, which is four positions higher compared to the previous period.^[3] Kazakhstan received 6.5 million tourists in 2016.

In 2012, Kazakhstan ranked 51st in the world in terms of number of tourist arrivals. In 2000 total 1.47 million international tourists visited Kazakhstan, which was increased to 4.81 million in 2012.^[4] The Guardian describes tourism in Kazakhstan as, "hugely underdeveloped," despite the attractions of the country's dramatic mountain, lake and desert landscapes.^[5] Factors hampering an increase in tourist visits are said to include "shabby infrastructure," "poor service" and the logistical difficulties of travel in a geographically enormous, underdeveloped country.^[5] Even for locals, going for holiday abroad may cost only half the price of taking a holiday in Kazakhstan.^[5] High-end tourists like Britain's Prince Harry have visited for the skiing.^[6]

According to the UK consulting firm Brand Finance, Kazakhstan is one of the fastest growing nation brands of 2019. The country was ranked 44th in the 2019 report, which is 7 spots higher than in the previous year. According to the report, a good nation brand can help boost inbound tourism and promote economic cooperation with other countries.^[7]

Kazakhstan offers a permanent visa-free regime for up to 90 days to citizens of Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia and Ukraine and for up to 30 days to citizens of Argentina, Azerbaijan, Serbia, South Korea, Tajikistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan.^[13]

Kazakhstan established a visa-free regime for citizens of 45 countries including European Union and OECD member states, the USA, UAE, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.^[14]

In September 2020, Kazakhstan started issuing visas electronically.^[15] The country also expanded the list of countries whose citizens can get single-entry business visas, tourist visas and medical treatment visas online. The new list includes 109 states.^[15]

Most visitors arriving to Kazakhstan were from the following countries of nationality:^[16]

This section needs to be updated. (October 2020)

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Tourism to Kazakhstan by state, 2013–2016

Country	2016	2015	2014	2013
Uzbekistan	2,459,757	2,297,180	2,107,177	2,494,568
Russia	1,587,409	1,646,568	1,757,721	1,780,574
Kyrgyzstan	1,348,709	1,359,625	1,308,139	1,382,706
Tajikistan	207,009	158,507	137,443	186,214
China	117,465	111,706	228,617	205,066
Azerbaijan	94,846	89,296	83,174	112,617
Germany	90,286	88,346	79,572	75,491
Turkey	89,611	106,301	104,986	92,070
Ukraine	73,390	97,100	84,932	82,971
Belarus	63,520	62,786	55,356	55,090
Turkmenistan	63,156	69,230	66,938	47,711
United States	26,402	29,124	25,824	22,508
Armenia	26,097	37,461	39,934	54,244
South Korea	22,276	22,046	20,445	16,620
United Kingdom	20,166	24,201	23,036	22,389
Total	6,509,390	6,430,158	6,332,734	6,841,085

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