We shouldn’t lose Iranian tourists!

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Association of Tourist Agencies of Kazakhstan (ATAK) asks to resume flights of the Iranian airline company Mahan Air to RK

One of the arguments in defense of the Iranian Airlines is the fact that it is ready to provide all kinds of special rates and discounts to attract Iranian tourist traffic to Kazakhstan.

As it turned out, the aeronautical authorities of Kazakhstan have banned flights of Mahan Air to Almaty airport since 13^th of February 2015, and the reasons are unclear.

In this regard, the Association of Travel Agencies of Kazakhstan (ATAK) appealed to NCE RK "Atameken" for assistance in determining the causes and return the permission for the airline to fly.

This concern is understandable. According to Asel Nurkebaeva, the president of the Association of Tourist Agencies of Kazakhstan (ATAK), the whole of last year the Association has done a big work on promotion of tourism potential of Kazakhstan in foreign markets, including Iran.

"On our own funds we conduct marketing and participate in tourism exhibitions in countries such as the United Arab Emirates, China, Europe, Russia, India and Iran. Tourism in the Republic of Kazakhstan is determined the priority sector, as a result this gave an impetus to the development and reorientation of the tourist business. Potential markets are Iran, China and India. It is huge and has a multiplier effect and benefit for our country ", - said Assel Nurkebaeva.

Head of ATAK also added that from 14th to 19th of February the Association and a group of tourist companies participated in the tourism exhibition in Tehran. "We began work in this area six months ago. By prior arrangement with the airline Mahan Air, we researched the market and were able to establish contacts with the largest tour operators in Iran. Currently there were signed about 20 cooperation agreements, we spent a lot of money and time. The airline is ready to provide all kinds of special rates and discounts to attract Iranian tourist traffic in Kazakhstan. Low cost of air tickets is fundamental for the formation of tourism products ", - said Assel Nurkebaeva.

The contribution of the Kazakhstani Association in the promotion of the tourist potential of the country at overseas markets, including Iran, was noted bythe Deputy Chairman of NCE RK "Atameken" Yuliya Yakupbaeva, reminding about 20 agreements with major Iranian tour operators, willing to work in the direction of Kazakhstan.

"Currently there is a draft memorandum on mutual simplification of trips for groups of tourists. The adoption of this document will also help to increase the flow of tourists from Iran to Kazakhstan ", - said the deputy chairman of NCE RK.

However, according to Yuliya Yakupbaeva, the main determining factor in the formation of tour packages, have been attractive price conditions for the flight, which was provided by the airline Mahan Air.

"At present, due to the ban on flights of the airline, all the work, which has been done to attract Iranian tourists in Kazakhstan, is under threat. Tour companies and the associations spent a lot of money on research of the Iranian market and participation in the exhibition", - said Y. Yakupbaeva.

In this regard, NCE RK "Atameken" asks MID RK to explain the reasons for the ban on the flights of Mahan Air.

"What alternative will be offered to Kazakhstani tourist market? Will Mahan Air operate in the future on the basis of parity? Were flexible pricing terms offered for the Kazakh tour operators? "- The Deputy Chairman of NCE RK "Atameken" Y.Yakupbaeva addressed these questions to the first Vice-Minister for Investment and Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan Zhenis Kasymbek.