Almaty Tourism Bureau will exhibit at IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific 2026 in Thailand. The event takes place from 22–24 September at the Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld. The organisers included Visit Almaty among the first confirmed exhibitors for the 2026 event. Business Events Perth and Singapore EXPO were also named in the initial announcement.
The organisation’s participation will connect Visit Almaty with international meeting planners, association executives and corporate travel buyers. Destination management companies, incentive travel specialists and event organisers will also attend the three-day MICE and corporate travel event.
Promoting Almaty Internationally
Visit Almaty is the destination brand supported by the Almaty Tourism Bureau. The organisation promotes Almaty as a Central Asian destination for leisure travel, business events, culture, gastronomy and outdoor experiences. The bureau works with tourism businesses, hotels, conference venues, destination management companies and government organisations. It also supports the development and international promotion of the city’s visitor economy.
For the MICE sector, the Almaty Tourism Bureau provides information and assistance for international conferences, forums, summits and other business events. Its work includes destination marketing, convention bureau services, tourism research and cooperation with international partners. The organisation can introduce planners to local venues, accommodation providers and destination management companies. This gives overseas organisers a central point of contact when considering Almaty for a future event.
Kazakhstan’s Largest City
Almaty is Kazakhstan’s largest city and its main commercial and cultural centre. It served as the country’s capital until 1997 and remains an important centre for finance, education, technology, tourism and international business. The city is located in south-eastern Kazakhstan, close to the border with Kyrgyzstan. Its position places Almaty between major markets in Europe and Asia. It also provides access to the wider Central Asian region.
Modern business districts, international hotels, restaurants and shopping areas sit alongside parks, historic buildings and cultural institutions. The Trans-Ili Alatau mountains form a prominent backdrop to the city. This combination gives meeting planners an opportunity to organise conferences and corporate programmes in an urban setting while including mountain, cultural and outdoor activities in the itinerary.
Business Events and Convention Support
Almaty accommodates corporate meetings, international conferences, exhibitions, government events and association congresses. The city provides a selection of hotel meeting rooms, dedicated conference facilities, exhibition venues and spaces for receptions and gala events. International hotel brands and locally operated properties offer accommodation across different price categories. Planners can combine hotel-based meetings with external venues for dinners, networking events and cultural programmes.
The Almaty Tourism Bureau’s business-events website also provides directories covering venues, hotels, tour operators and destination management companies. These resources help organisers identify local suppliers and compare options during the early planning stages. Visit Almaty’s presence at IT&CMA 2026 will give buyers an opportunity to discuss available facilities directly with the destination team. They can also explore local partnerships, incentive programmes and support for future events in Kazakhstan.
International Air Connectivity
Almaty International Airport is Kazakhstan’s busiest airport and an important regional hub. It is also the main base for Air Astana. According to airport operator TAV Airports, Almaty Airport handled 11.9 million passengers during 2025. At the end of that year, 42 airlines connected Almaty with 86 destinations in 30 countries.
A new international terminal opened in June 2024. The development increased the airport’s total annual capacity to more than 14 million passengers. It also introduced additional passenger facilities and expanded the airport’s ability to support future international growth. Direct and connecting services link Almaty with destinations across Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. This connectivity is an important consideration for organisers bringing together delegates from several international markets. The airport is approximately 15 kilometres from central Almaty. Transfer times depend on traffic and the location of the delegate hotel or event venue.
Mountains Close to the City
Access to the mountains is one of Almaty’s main advantages as an incentive destination. Delegates can travel from the city centre to mountain attractions without adding a separate domestic flight. Medeu is a high-altitude sports complex located approximately 15 kilometres from central Almaty. The site is known for its outdoor skating rink and mountain setting.
The Shymbulak mountain resort is located above Medeu. It offers skiing during the winter season and mountain activities during warmer months. Cable-car journeys provide views across the surrounding landscape and towards Almaty. These locations can be included in pre-conference, post-conference and accompanying-person programmes. They can also support smaller corporate activities, depending on seasonal conditions and operational requirements. Kok Tobe, a hill overlooking the city, provides another accessible option for visitors. It can be reached by cable car and offers panoramic views of Almaty and the surrounding mountains.
Culture, Heritage and Gastronomy
Almaty’s cultural attractions can add a local dimension to international events. Panfilov Park, the Ascension Cathedral, museums, theatres and galleries introduce visitors to the city’s history and creative life. The Green Bazaar is one of Almaty’s best-known markets. It provides an opportunity to explore local produce, dried fruit, spices and regional food traditions. Kazakh cuisine can also form part of incentive and conference programmes. Traditional dishes, contemporary restaurants and food-focused tours allow organisers to incorporate local gastronomy into delegate experiences.
The city’s cultural identity reflects Kazakh traditions alongside influences from communities that have settled in Almaty over different periods. This is visible in its food, architecture, music and public spaces. The official Visit Almaty destination platform provides information about the city’s attractions, neighbourhoods, events, mountain routes and visitor experiences.
Regional Incentive Travel
Almaty can act as a starting point for longer programmes across south-eastern Kazakhstan. The wider region includes canyons, alpine lakes, national parks and mountain landscapes. Charyn Canyon is one of the region’s most recognised natural attractions. Kolsai Lakes and Kaindy Lake can also be included in extended itineraries. These locations are outside the city and require additional travelling time. Consequently, they are generally better suited to full-day excursions or multi-day pre- and post-event programmes. Local destination management companies can advise planners about transport, accommodation, seasonal access and suitable group sizes. Careful scheduling is important because road conditions and journey times can vary.
Growing International Visitor Economy
Almaty continues to invest in tourism promotion, aviation connectivity and visitor infrastructure. The city is positioning itself as a Central Asian centre for culture, gastronomy, outdoor travel and international events. Research prepared by the Almaty Tourism Bureau, the city’s Tourism Department and Mastercard also points to increasing visitor expenditure. An analysis of travellers from 15 international markets found that their total spending in Almaty increased by 40 per cent during 2025. Participation in international trade events allows Visit Almaty to introduce these developments to professional buyers. It also helps the destination build relationships with event organisers seeking new locations in Central Asia.
Meet Visit Almaty at IT&CMA 2026
Buyers attending IT&CMA 2026 will be able to discuss meetings, conferences and incentive programmes with Visit Almaty. They can request information about venues, hotels, destination management services, air connections and regional experiences. The organisation’s participation will also provide an opportunity to assess Almaty as a destination for association meetings, corporate events, incentive travel and pre- or post-conference programmes. At the time of publication, the organisers had not announced Visit Almaty’s stand number or the names of its representatives attending IT&CMA 2026.
Event: IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific 2026
Dates: 22–24 September 2026
Venue: Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, Bangkok, Thailand
Registration: www.itcma.com/register
Visit Almaty: www.visitalmaty.kz
Almaty Tourism Bureau: www.almatytourism.com
Unravel Travel TV Registration Link: https://ttgevents.eventsair.com/itcmasiaUnravelTravelTV
