Visit Almaty invited the World Tourism Network to speak at a government tourism training session in Kazakhstan. WTN’s VP for International Relations, Dr. Alain St.Ange, responded to the request and flew to Almaty. Dr. St. Ange, the former minister of tourism, civil aviation, ports, and marine for Seychelles, has the necessary experience to participate in a crucial eye-opening training session for Kazakh tourism professionals. Dr. St. Ange also runs an international tourism consultancy, part of the Travel Marketing Network.
Alongside local Kazak tourism training personality and official guide Mrs. Zhanar Gabit and Mr. Tom Buncle, the Managing Director of ‘Yellow Railroad’ International Destination Consultancy, St. Ange spoke at a tourism training session attended by leaders of the Kazakstan Tourism government, including tourism police, destination management, museums, custom and border officers.
These training sessions in Kazakhstan concentrated mainly on managers, empowering them to follow up with training their department’s personnel on better ways to work with tourists and show the country’s attractiveness for tourism.
The organization rallied some 300 government delegates, divided into 10 groups of 30 people, for two-day all-day sessions.
“The knowledge of international tourism is average. The employees understand what tourism is in general. Kazakhstan is a new destination on the world tourism map, so many people like to know better how to deal with foreign visitors.
The format is the facilitation training that will end with an extensive Q&A session,” said a representative of the organizers. “The main goal of this government-organized training program is to strengthen the understanding of the importance of international standards implementation in the hospitality industry and create a “friendly” environment for international visitors.
A focus is on training people in the high standards of behavioral norms towards visitors, which can be addressed to Global awareness of Kazakhstan as a friendly tourist destination. “
Alain St.Ange began his sessions with “What is Tourism” and discussed how each Manager attending the sessions can help consolidate tourism in Kazakhstan. He also encouraged the Kazakhstan authorities to work with its Central Asian countries and develop a new ‘Central Asia Tourism’ destination.
“I was amazed by what Kazakhstan offers the discerning travelers looking for a new destination. Kazakhstan has the most incredible mountains. Located just 30 minutes from Almaty City center, ski slopes offer four feet of snow.
Rivers offer incredible white-water rafting. Kazakhstan has lakes, deserts, canyons, and other amazing natural and cultural assets.
Its people and culture remain unique as a Eurasian destination.”
St.Ange encouraged authorities to collaborate or cooperate with organizations such as the World Tourism Network (WTN), which can help make tourism a solid pillar of the economy after oil and gas, which they are so blessed with.
