Kazakhstan's Ambassador to Seoul Nurgali Arystanov highlighted the importance of enhancing cooperation, stressing "Kazakhstan stands with the people of South Korea."
"We look forward to working with the new [South Korean] government" to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries, he said.
Arystanov added, "Kazakhstan is located at a crossroads of East and West, a bridge where ideas, cultures, and solutions come together," quoting Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev as saying.
Arystanov also emphasized that visa-free travel and an increase in direct flights have significantly boosted tourism between the two countries.
Currently, there are around 17 weekly direct flights connecting Almaty, Astana, and Shymkent with Seoul. Eastar Jet is also set to launch a new route connecting Almaty to South Korea's southern port city of Busan in July, with plans to expand service up to 40 flights per week.
"This event is not just about showcasing Kazakhstan, it is about building the foundations for future partnerships and shared success. I especially hope for collaborations among tour operators that could offer tour packages for Kazakhstan so as to make travels exciting, easy and meaningful," he said.
In 2024 alone, some 40,180 South Koreans visited Kazakhstan while over 53,000 Kazakh tourists traveled to Seoul. To meet growing tourism demand, Almaty officials further highlighted Kazakhstan's natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, along with modern facilities equipped for international business events. Air Astana also showcased its global network, while SCAT Airlines announced a new direct route between Incheon and Shymkent.
Meanwhile, Kazakhstan also set up a booth to offer travel information at the annual Seoul International Tourism Fair (SITF), which runs until this weekend at COEX in southern Seoul.
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