Kazakhstan has joined UN Tourism’s flagship Centre Stage initiative to support women in Almaty’s tourism sector. The move aims to remove barriers that prevent women from fully participating and advancing in tourism, such as lack of training, leadership representation, and investment. Women already form a large part of the tourism workforce in Almaty, yet many still face unequal opportunities.
Through the partnership, Almaty Tourism Bureau, local businesses, and civil society will work together with UN Tourism. They will run programs to highlight how much women contribute to the tourism industry. They will also create chances for women’s economic empowerment and help them build careers in the sector.
Training, Leadership, and Lasting Change
One initiative will be a three-month training programme aimed at up to 200 tourism professionals. Another involves a regional conference on empowering women in tourism, set for October. Awareness campaigns will spotlight women-owned businesses and gender equality in leadership.
Leaders stress that representation matters. Local authorities plan an “Almaty Call for Action” to promote gender-responsive budgeting, support women-led firms, and include women more frequently in decision-making roles. They intend to make structural changes rather than just symbolic ones. UN Tourism’s Executive Director, Zoritsa Urosevic, emphasises that giving women skills, support, and visibility boosts innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable growth across the region. Diyar Askarov of the Almaty Tourism Bureau adds that women’s leadership strengthens communities and connects Almaty to global networks of opportunity.
This initiative comes at a time when global tourism sectors seek to be more inclusive. By investing in women, Almaty hopes to foster a sector that is balanced, equitable, and resilient. The expectation is that these efforts will not only improve the lives of many women in Almaty but also raise the quality and sustainability of tourism services. The project reflects a larger trend: recognising that gender equality drives better outcomes for economies and societies.
