Why does a tourist need a travel code?

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"Atameken" comments on the information published yesterday in the media involving fund "Kamkor Turistіk" at a briefing at the Service of Central Communication

At a briefing on the introduction of the system of guaranteeing the rights of citizens in the field of outbound tourism, was made a statement that "the trip abroad from Kazakhstan is illegal without paying for a travel code by a tourist".

As it was noted at the NCE, this formulation allows incorrect interpretation of the legislation in some cases. For example, there are already complaints that the notary publics do not give authorization for the travel of children abroad without a travel code. However the presence of the code is not applied to all tourists.

Travel code is compulsory for tourists, who have acquired a tourist product formed by a tour operator from a travel agent. If a tourist made a reservation himself, the travel code is not required.

Issuance of a travel code - is a tool that is used as part of the fund "Kamkor Turistіk” activities to ensure fulfillment of the obligations of outbound tourism by tour operators and carriers, which is regulated by the internal documents of the Fund. Travel code allows the fund to verify the payment of commission fee by outbound tour operators to the special account of the fund from each tourism product in an amount approved by the Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In accordance with the law the check of the presence of a travel code when going abroad is not within the competence of any of the authorized bodies.

The system, which guarantees citizens' rights in RK in the area of outbound tourism – is new for Kazakhstani legislation. And, as it always happens in the implementation phase, market participants have a number of issues that require clarification and, possibly, additional changes and amendments to the legislation. For example, the tourist market has questions about the interpretation of the concept "tourism product". Tour operators selling services of CIS resorts often do not provide air transport services. A tourist can travel by train or by car. Or there is an another example. A tourist buys accommodation and a ticket for a regular flight. He won’t need the services of the Fund. Such cases also raise questions among tour operators and travel agents on the need to pay the commission fee.

In this context, these issues have been discussed at the site of NCE RK and the Ministry for Investment and Development of Kazakhstan. An agreement was reached with the MID RK to clarify frequently asked questions. Once the explanation from the competent authority will be received, they will be published on the website of MID RK and NCE RK "Atameken".