Air Astana, the leading carrier of Kazakhstan, hosted the Central Asia Travel Showcase in London on 8th July 2026, bringing together leading Kazakh Destination Management Companies (DMCs) and UK-based tourism industry professionals to strengthen trade partnerships and support inbound travel to Central Asia.
The showcase was organised in partnership with Fragomen, the world’s leading immigration services provider, and was held at Fragomen’s London office.
The afternoon combined destination presentations, business meetings and open networking, providing a platform to establish new commercial relationships and encourage closer cooperation between the UK travel trade and Kazakhstan’s tourism sector.
B2B Meetings and Industry Insights
The B2B meetings proved highly productive, giving UK travel trade professionals dedicated time with Kazakh DMCs to explore commercial opportunities and lay the groundwork for future collaboration.
A panel session featuring local tour operators and DMCs offered attendees valuable insight into Kazakhstan as a destination, from emerging itineraries and regional highlights to the practicalities of developing tourism products for the UK market. The session was among the highlights of the day, offering perspective directly from those shaping the destination’s tourism offering.
Kazakhstan offers travellers dramatic landscapes from the red-rock canyons of Charyn, often likened to a miniature Grand Canyon, to the blue waters of Lake Kaindy and its sunken forest. Almaty, set against snow-capped mountains, provides ready access to hiking, skiing and horseback excursions, while its Silk Road heritage offers a window into centuries of history along one of the world’s great trade routes.
Air Astana also offers a Stopover Holidays programme, giving international transit passengers with a layover of at least 10 hours in Almaty or Astana the chance to explore Kazakhstan en route to their final destination. Available across many of the airline’s routes, including connections to Central Asia, China, India and South Korea, the programme turns a transit into part of the journey itself.
Showcasing Kazakh Culture
Guests were welcomed with a spread of traditional Kazakh cuisine and chocolates, offering an authentic taste of the region throughout the afternoon.
A series of raffles added a further element of celebration to the event, with prizes including flights courtesy of Air Astana, curated tours offered by participating DMCs, collectible model planes, and traditional Kazakh items such as garments and earrings.
Strengthening Ties Between the UK and Central Asia
The showcase forms part of Air Astana’s ongoing efforts to promote Kazakhstan as a travel destination and support the growth of tourism links between the UK and Central Asia, opening new distribution channels for Kazakh tourism products and encouraging the development of new itineraries and packages featuring the region.
Fragomen’s hosting underlined the growing business ties between the UK and Kazakhstan more broadly.
Commenting on the event, Kamila Zhailaubayeva, Regional General Manager UK, Ireland and Americas at Air Astana said: “Kazakhstan is an undiscovered destination for British travellers, and events like this are how we turn that potential into reality. As Kazakhstan’s leading carrier, we see it as our responsibility to open doors for the destination, not just the airline, giving the UK travel trade direct access to the partners who will shape how British travellers experience Central Asia in the years ahead.”
About Air Astana
Air Astana operates four weekly flights between London and Almaty, providing convenient connections to Astana and other destinations across Kazakhstan.
Awarded a 4-Star Airline rating by Skytrax, Air Astana has been recognised as the Best Airline in Central Asia and the CIS for fourteen years in a row. Flights between the UK and Kazakhstan are operated with modern and comfortable Airbus A321LR aircraft, offering passengers a high-quality travel experience.
The airline provides excellent service in both Business Class and Economy Class, ensuring a comfortable journey for both leisure and business travellers to Central Asia and beyond. www.airastana.com
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