Digital Transformation in Tourism: Al-Farabi KazNU's Innovative Project at Digital Almaty 2024 Forum

From February 1 to 3, 2024, Almaty city became a hub of digital innovation, hosting the grand international forum Digital Almaty 2024: “Industry X: Digital Evolution of the Future”. This event brought together government officials, experts, and entrepreneurs from SCO and EAEU countries, as well as leading innovators in IT and business, to discuss the future of the digital industry.

Yeldar Nuruly, a representative of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, a Lecturer in the Department of Recreational Geography and Tourism, and a Project Research Associate, stood out among the forum participants. He presented a startup addressing the relevant topic of digital technologies in tourism. The project, titled “Modernization of Digital Content in Tourism: Mobile Applications, Panoramic 3D Tours, Interactive Maps, and QR Codes” (led by Assoc. Prof. A.S. Aktymbayeva, Cand. Sc. in Geography), aims to create an integrated digital system that will serve as a reliable assistant for both international and domestic tourists exploring Kazakhstan.

Currently, the Kazakhstani tourism market faces a lack of comprehensive and integrated solutions capable of providing visitors with all the necessary information and content. Hence, this project deserves special attention. By developing tools such as an interactive tourist portal, “TourismKaz” mobile applications, QR codes for tourist sites, 3D panoramic tours, and interactive maps, the project aims not only to enhance the recognition of Kazakhstan's tourism product but also to optimize business processes, increase profits for tourism business owners, and develop and expand tourist services in the country. This proposal opens new horizons for the development of tourism in Kazakhstan, offering an innovative approach to presenting the country's cultural and natural heritage.

Digital Almaty 2024 highlighted the relevance and importance of digital transformation in various sectors, including tourism. The project presented by Y. Nuruly stands as a bright example of how digital technologies can serve the development of the economy and culture, making Kazakhstan more attractive to tourists worldwide.

Bagdat Musin, the Minister of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, noted the significance of the forum for the digital industry and emphasized that such events contribute to the exchange of experience and ideas, shaping a new era in the digital industry.

Digital Almaty was organized by the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Almaty City Administration, and the Innovation Technology Park (Tech Garden).

This project was implemented with financial support from “Science Fund” JSC within the framework of a grant for the commercialization of scientific and/or scientific-technical activities.