Kazakhstan is becoming an increasingly popular destination for foreign tourists. According to Ranking.kz, the country has fully recovered its pre-pandemic levels of inbound tourism, attracting 9.2 million foreign visitors in 2023. These tourists, primarily from China, India, South Korea, Qatar, Germany, and the UAE, spent $2.3 billion, or over one trillion tenge, in Kazakhstan during their visits, as per the National Bank of Kazakhstan.
Sultanat Beisembaeva, Deputy Director for Medical and Rehabilitation Work at "Almaty Resort," notes a growing interest among foreign citizens in medical and wellness tourism in Kazakhstan. They are drawn by high-tech medical services, experienced specialists, advanced technologies, and unique treatment methods.
According to the Committee on Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the country has 144 sanatorium-resort organizations that use natural therapeutic factors for balneological, mud, and climate therapy, with a total capacity of 21,291 beds.
"In the first half of 2024 alone, we have seen an 11.5% increase in foreign tourists at Almaty Resort compared to the same period last year. Most of our guests come from neighboring countries like Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and China. We also had visitors from countries farther afield, such as the UK, USA, and Germany," shared the head of the popular health resort.
Meanwhile, many Kazakhstani citizens prefer to undergo health diagnostics, or Check-Up, abroad. Sultanat Shymkentbekkyzy believes that locals are mistaken in thinking that only Korea, Turkey, or Georgia can provide modern medical services.
For example, Almaty Resort offers a special medical device called the MedScanner "BIORS" for quick and detailed screening. The procedure takes about 10 minutes. The patient lies on a couch while the specialist attaches sensitive biological sensors to the body. The scanner then examines all organs and body systems, and the results are analyzed. This examination combines traditional diagnostic technologies with an information-computing program that automatically generates a graphical report on the body's condition, evaluates the likelihood of diseases, and even provides recommendations for health prevention, optimal physical activity, and nutrition.
"Our main competitive advantage in medical tourism is, of course, the low cost of medical services of the same quality as abroad, along with accommodation, food, etc., compared to, say, Russia. For instance, a women's Check-Up program in Kazakhstan costs approximately 100,000 tenge, while in Russia, it costs 300,000 tenge, in Turkey - 500,000 tenge, and in Europe - over a million tenge. When you add the costs of flights and accommodation, the difference is huge! Visitors to our sanatorium can undergo any type of examination in comfortable conditions. You can purchase a separate five-day package for any diagnostic program, which includes dozens of laboratory tests, ultrasound, ECG, and consultations with a specialist doctor," says Sultanat Beisembaeva.
The WHO recommends that people under 40 undergo a Check-Up every two years, and those over 40 should do so annually. Combining screening with sanatorium-resort treatment is an excellent opportunity for those with limited time who want to relax and recharge while also checking their health. The program results in overall emotional relief, a reset, and valuable information about your current health, potential issues, and recommendations for improving or maintaining your well-being
