AIU HOSTS TOURISM WEEK DEDICATED TO WORLD TOURISM DAY

Astana International University hosted Tourism Week dedicated to World Tourism Day, which is celebrated annually on September 27. Tourism Week was organized to increase students’ interest in tourism and hospitality, develop their professional competencies, creativity, and teamwork skills, as well as provide them with practical insights into current trends in the tourism industry. The programme included thematic meetings, lectures, and practical activities that gave students an opportunity to discuss current issues in tourism development, emerging industry trends, professional development opportunities, and career prospects.

One of the key events was a guest lecture by Akbota Dauren, Chief Manager of the Tourism Product Development Department at NC Kazakh Tourism JSC. The lecture, entitled “How to Find Your Niche and Package a Tourism Product,” focused on practical aspects of developing and promoting tourism products. During the session, students learned about modern approaches to designing tourism offerings, identifying target audiences, developing unique value propositions, and promoting tourism products in the market. The professional programme continued with a meeting with Olga Alexandrovna Abeldinova, Director of the Tourism Product and Service Development Department at Astana Tourism Development Center LLP. The guest lecture focused on the development of tourism products and tourism services in the capital. Students had an opportunity to learn about current priorities in the development of tourism in Astana, explore approaches to creating new tourism routes, and discuss prospects for enhancing the city’s attractiveness as a tourist destination.

Such events are particularly important for the training of future tourism professionals. Today’s specialists need not only theoretical knowledge but also the ability to work effectively in teams, organize events, present tourism products, engage with different audiences, and generate new ideas for the development of the industry. Tourism Week concluded with an official closing event, during which the results of the week were summarized and the most active participants were recognized. Students received diplomas in recognition of their contribution to the organization and implementation of the activities. Tourism Week became not only an educational platform but also a space for communication, exchange of ideas, and the development of a professional community of students interested in tourism and hospitality. Tourism is an industry that brings together knowledge, people, culture, technology, and entrepreneurship. Therefore, fostering students’ professional interest today is an investment in the future development of Kazakhstan’s tourism industry.