KITF 2026 IN ALMATY: INTERNATIONAL TOURISM EXHIBITION AS A DRIVER OF INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT, NEW DIRECTIONS AND BUSINESS COOPERATION

FROM APRIL 22 TO 24, 2026, THE 24TH KAZAKHSTAN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION 'TOURISM AND TRAVEL' — KITF 2026 — WILL TAKE PLACE IN ALMATY, ONE OF THE KEY EVENTS IN THE REGION'S TOURISM INDUSTRY, ANNUALLY BRINGING TOGETHER INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS, BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVES, AND GOVERNMENT STRUCTURES, AS WELL AS ALL THOSE WHO SHAPE THE MODERN TRAVEL MARKET.

This year, the event will once again confirm its status as a leading industry platform, presenting a large-scale exhibition and a rich business program focused on current challenges and tourism development prospects.

The KITF 2026 exhibition will reflect the global geography of tourist destinations and the business activity of the industry. The exhibition will feature 414 companies from 24 countries, including Azerbaijan, Belarus, Vietnam, Georgia, Egypt, India, Italy, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Cyprus, China, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, United Arab Emirates, Russia, Romania, Thailand, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Montenegro, Sri Lanka, South Korea, and Japan. International participants will make up a significant portion of the exhibitors — 346 companies (83% of the total number of exhibitors), while Kazakhstani companies will be represented by 68 participants (17% of the total) and will demonstrate the potential of domestic tourism and local business.

Special attention will be given to national and regional expositions. The expo event will feature 16 national stands, including Azerbaijan, UAE, Georgia, Egypt, India (GOA), Kazakhstan, Cyprus, China, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Russia, Romania, Thailand, Turkey, South Korea, and Japan, as well as 9 regional stands of Kazakhstan, including Almaty, Karaganda, Aktobe, East Kazakhstan, Pavlodar, Atyrau, Kyzylorda regions, Zhetysu region, and Ulytau region.

One of the key features of KITF 2026 will be the expansion of participant geography and the emergence of new directions. For the first time, the Republic of Cyprus, Mongolia, the cultural tourism zone Nanshan, the state of Goa, Sri Lanka, and the emirate of Abu Dhabi will be presented. Also among the newcomers are Online Express, Vietra Tour, Antalya Airport, Trabzon region, Seoul Tourism Organisation, I'WAY, Zendia Japan, Turkish Airlines, Xiaomi, Sinoasia B&R (SABR), Bank CenterCredit, EMGS (Education Malaysia Global Services), One Day Mongolia, and Pan Global.

A significant innovation will be the launch of the new KITF Podcast Zone, where a series of open discussions and expert interviews will take place. KITF Community Stage — a space for dialogue between professionals and travel enthusiasts.

The central element of the business program will be the KITF Travel Forum 2026, which will be held under the theme 'Tourism Today – Solutions for Tomorrow'. The forum program will cover a wide range of current industry issues and offer participants practical tools for adapting to modern conditions.

Honored guests of the event: heads of diplomatic missions of participating countries (in alphabetical order) — Egypt, India, Cyprus, China, Cuba, Malaysia, Russia, Thailand, Turkey, Uzbekistan, South Korea

Forum partner - Trend Buro

Official partners - Visit Almaty, Kompas Touroperator

Official support: Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Akimat of Almaty city, JSC 'National Company 'Kazakh Tourism', ALE 'Kazakhstan Tourist Association'.

The exhibition is organized by the Kazakhstan exhibition company Iteca in cooperation with

its international partner — ICA Events Group.