Published on
August 15, 2025
Ambassador Zhanna Saginova of Kazakhstan recently met Slovakia’s Tourism and Sports Minister Rudolf Huliak to strengthen bilateral ties and open doors for new partnership opportunities. They centred on boosting collaboration in tourism and sports—key areas that can further enrich Kazakhstan-Slovakia relations.
Exploring Kazakhstan’s Tourism Potential
Kazakhstan, a country of vast natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, is actively working on promoting its tourism industry to a global audience. Over recent years, the government has placed significant emphasis on modernising the tourism sector, with a particular focus on technological innovation. During the meeting, the Slovak side was introduced to Kazakhstan’s growing tourism potential, including the application of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics. These tools are being used to enhance the overall tourist experience, from streamlining travel planning to improving the personalisation of services and offering smart travel solutions.
Kazakhstan’s tourism sector is quickly evolving with the support of the government’s comprehensive development strategies. The introduction of advanced systems such as the “eQonaq” platform, for instance, allows for better tracking of tourists and migration control, helping to ensure a smooth experience for visitors. Through data analytics, the country aims to better understand tourist behaviour, optimise services, and create targeted marketing campaigns to attract international visitors.
Minister Huliak showed considerable interest in Kazakhstan’s approach, particularly its efforts to incorporate cutting-edge technologies in the development of tourism infrastructure. Slovakia’s own tourism industry, while well-established, could benefit from similar technological advancements. As both nations share a commitment to innovation, the possibility of future cooperation in this field is high.
The Role of Air Connectivity in Boosting Tourism
A key point of the conversation was the potential for direct air connectivity between Kazakhstan and Slovakia. Both sides recognised that establishing regular flights between the two countries could significantly boost tourist numbers, especially by making it easier for travellers to explore both nations. This move would not only enhance leisure tourism but also promote business tourism, as the growing economic ties between the countries could translate into more professional exchanges and events.
Kazakhstan, with its unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures, vast landscapes, and historic sites, offers an array of travel experiences that could attract Slovak tourists. Conversely, Slovakia’s rich history, charming cities like Bratislava, and scenic landscapes would make it an attractive destination for Kazakh travellers as well. Connecting the two countries via air travel is seen as a crucial step in boosting the flow of tourists and promoting greater cultural exchange between the nations.
Sports Collaboration: Building Stronger Ties Through Athletic Achievement
While tourism holds significant promise for the development of bilateral relations, the sports sector also plays a central role in fostering understanding and cooperation between nations. Kazakhstan’s participation in international sports has long been impressive, with notable achievements in a variety of fields, including boxing, weightlifting, cycling, judo, wrestling, chess, and tennis. The country has continually produced world-class athletes and established itself as a competitive force in the global sports arena.
Minister Huliak and Ambassador Saginova discussed potential areas of collaboration in sports, particularly in light of upcoming major international events. Kazakhstan will be hosting key sporting competitions in 2027, including the Judo World Championships and the Junior Short Track World Championships. These events present an excellent opportunity for Slovak athletes to participate, gain international exposure, and build closer ties with their Kazakh counterparts.
In addition to these large-scale competitions, the meeting also touched upon the possibility of joint sports programmes and training camps. Such initiatives would allow both countries to benefit from shared expertise and best practices. Slovakia, with its strong sporting culture, has much to offer in terms of knowledge exchange, and Kazakhstan’s investment in sports infrastructure could make it an attractive partner for future collaborative projects.
Strengthening Cultural Ties Through Football
The role of football in bridging cultural gaps was also highlighted during the meeting. Ambassador Saginova shared the news that Kazakhstan’s football club, Kairat, had recently advanced to the Champions League playoff round, having secured a victory over Slovakia’s Slovan Bratislava. Minister Huliak congratulated Kairat for their achievement, underlining the importance of sports in bringing countries closer together. The shared passion for football and the friendly competition between Kazakhstan and Slovakia’s teams serve as a symbol of the broader friendship between the two nations.
Football, being one of the most popular sports globally, has the potential to act as a catalyst for cooperation. The success of Kazakhstan’s football clubs and Slovakia’s strong football tradition could create opportunities for joint training sessions, friendly matches, and even the exchange of coaching expertise. By leveraging football’s universal appeal, both countries hope to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation on a broader scale.
Formalizing Cooperation: The Memorandum of Understanding
To ensure that the discussions and agreements made during the meeting are translated into actionable steps, both Kazakhstan and Slovakia agreed to prepare and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the relevant ministries. This formal agreement will serve as a framework for future cooperation in tourism, sports, and other sectors and will guide the implementation of joint initiatives. The MoU is expected to strengthen the ties between the two countries by fostering greater collaboration in both fields.
The signing of this MoU is seen as a significant step forward in the evolving relationship between Kazakhstan and Slovakia. It will not only formalise their commitment to advancing mutual interests but will also lay the groundwork for long-term cooperation. Both parties are optimistic that this agreement will open up new avenues for partnership, creating opportunities for people-to-people exchanges, tourism development, and sports collaboration.
The Road Ahead: A Bright Future for Kazakhstan and Slovakia
In summary, Ambassador Zhanna Saginova’s conversation with Minister Rudolf Huliak marks the inauguration of a renewed phase in Kazakhstan–Slovakia relations. Their pledge to deepen collaboration in tourism and sport bodes well for the years ahead, reflecting each nation’s intention to forge more durable cultural, economic, and diplomatic connections.
Kazakhstan and Slovakia are working together to turn a shared dream of innovation and growth into reality. By combining Kazakhstan’s tourism key sites and Slovakia’s sports know-how, the two countries can open new doors to a stronger and more connected future. Smart tourism apps, joint sports camps, and athlete exchanges are just a few ways they can team up. By choosing projects they both care about and banking on years of trust, Kazakhstan and Slovakia are writing the first chapter of a bright, shared tomorrow.
