Tourism development on Alakol lake
In the near future the numbers of holidaymakers on the coast of the Alakol lake in summer will soar to 100 thousand. The development of the tourist infrastructure is moving at a faster pace in the Almaty region, with local authorities saying in the near future the numbers of holidaymakers on the coast of the Alakol lake in summer will soar to 100 thousand. The Alakol lake is the gem of the Shetysu area and its origin and appearance is covered in legend. According to one - Kazakh batyrs (heroes) healed their wounds in the Alakol after struggles with Jungars. Medics, say, the water in the lake really does possess healing powers and old people recount that an ancient city is buried in its bed – sometimes the remains of past civilisations are thrown up on the beach. However, despite the richness of culture, tourism on the lake has not been developed to the full.
Bagdat Karasayev, head of Alakol district:
- Last year there were around 12 thousand holidaymakers on the Alakol lake. This year we expect to see more than 15 thousand and hope to receive some 38-40 million tenge. I think that today’s rates of development of infrastructure are on the rise.
The general layout of the Alakol coast development has already been confirmed and 3.5 thousand hectares of land has been set aside for development of the local infrastructure. Over 40 facilities are being constructed here, with railway stations and passing-tracks to be built. The lake stretches along the road connecting Usharal and Dostyk, which will have 17 billion tenge allocated to its major overhaul. There are 5 ecological excursion routes in the Alakol wilderness area and several sanatoriums and recreation homes are to be built in the region.
Khabar Agency
